Transformation of economy supports merger activity

China's mergers and acquisitions market was worth $355.8 billion in the first 11 months of the year, a 3 percent drop on 2013 but a 154 percent rise on 2008, according to a report by ChinaVenture Group.

Liu Boyu, an analyst at ChinaVenture, said 6,001 M&A deals were announced by the end of November, "a good performance", helped by a "structural transformation of the economy and system innovation".

The State Council announced new rules in March and May to improve the M&A process for companies. In July, the China Securities Regulatory Commission also said it would simplify the review process for major asset restructuring programs and takeovers of listed companies.