China revises regulations on foreign investment in banking sector

BEIJING - China's banking regulator on Thursday decided to cancel and revise certain regulations on foreign investment in the banking sector in a latest effort to push forward financial opening up.

China will abolish management rules on overseas financial institutions' investment in domestic organs, applying the same market entry and administrative approval policies for both Chinese and foreign investment, according to a statement from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

The commission will also cancel restrictions on foreign holdings in Chinese banking and asset management companies in three other documents.

The new rules specify that when overseas institutions invest in Chinese commercial banks or rural financial organs, supervision and management on such organs should not be changed.

China will create a fair, open and transparent mechanism for foreign investment in the banking sector and keep the system stable and consistent, according to the statement.

The move comes as China is steadily advancing the opening up of its financial sector, with measures to reduce restrictions on foreign investors and allow more investment in equity and bond markets.