The State Council, China's Cabinet, late Tuesday posted on its website a notice saying it had granted approval in principle for foreign companies to launch IPOs and issue corporate debt and other financing instruments to "support the widening of foreign companies' financing channels". The announcement was the latest in a series of liberalisation pledges from China as it braces for the incoming Donald Trump administration. The links give foreigners some access to China-listed shares, while also allowing Chinese firms to buy Hong Kong-traded stocks. Foreign companies and China's trading partners continue to complain about access to its markets. Last month China said it would allow foreign firms to operate fully-owned subsidiaries, rather than joint ventures, in sectors including rail transportation equipment and motorcycles, and loosen a range of other restrictions.

Source: The Nation Bangkok January 18, 2017 10:31 UTC