Nation's big five banks plan bond sales in order to boost their capital

China's top five banks will raise 128 billion yuan ($20.8 billion) in a two-week bond offering spree following a yearlong hiatus, as regulators signal a willingness for lenders to aggressively tap fixed-income markets.

The country's banking regulator began phasing in new higher capital adequacy requirements last year, in line with global rules known as Basel III, and aggressive implementation of the third Basel accord is a key element of China's plan to fortify banks against risks from a slowing economy.

China Construction Bank Corp and Agricultural Bank of China Ltd, the country's second and third-largest banks, respectively, have announced plans to raise 50 billion yuan worth of Basel III-compliant Tier 2 capital via domestic bond issues on Friday.