China Rectifies Foreign Ownership Rules

China’s securities regulator has released new guidelines for foreign investment in Chinese security joint ventures in which it eased some restrictions and launched an application process for more foreign ownership, Reuters reported. The consultation period for the new rules that began in March is now over and the final regulations have been officially released for immediate implementation, the regulator said in an announcement on its website late on Saturday. During the review, restrictions limiting single foreign investors to a 30% stake in securities ventures, either directly or via a partner, were removed, according to the state-backed China Securities newspaper. Foreign bankers had expressed concern over this particular restriction, saying it might have required western banks to include a third partner in deals which might stymie broadening international participation in China’s domestic securities markets. Foreign firms that wish to make changes to their equity ownership in local securities joint ventures or that wish to establish a new joint venture can now apply to the regulator, it said in a question-and-answer published online.