Foreign investment

CHINA last year attracted US$520.6 billion of foreign investment, up by 81 percent from 2019, Xinhua quoted the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) as saying yesterday.

Amid China’s steady economic recovery and improved business climate, foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland grew by 14 percent in 2020, the report said. In 2020, China’s securities market saw net inflows of overseas funds totaling US$254.7 billion, a surge of 73 percent year on year, SAFE data showed. Net inflows into Chinese bonds jumped by 86 percent from a year ago to US$190.5 billion, while that into equities reached US$64.1 billion, up by 43 percent year on year.

Bond transaction

THE central bank has further optimized its bond transaction and circulation mechanism, aiming for higher efficiency while enhancing the ability of the bond market to serve the real economy, according to an announcement of the People’s Bank of China.

The new arrangements include the implementation of electronic transmission by establishing direct system connections between infrastructure organizations and strengthening the intermediary service functions of such organizations.

Loan support

THE government has extended loan repayment and credit loan support policies for smaller businesses to the end of this year, according to a statement released by the central bank and other government departments.

Inclusive loan repayment extension for small firms will be prolonged to December 31, and enterprises and banks can negotiate and implement staged repayment for loans that mature between April 1 and Dec. 31, the statement said.