Nation may launch real estate trusts

Mutual fund-like investment vehicle encourages residence construction

China's equity market regulators have stepped up the pace of introducing rules aimed at encouraging individual investors to finance development of residential leasing properties, a move that analysts said will be greatly helpful to long-term growth of the sector.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) of companies that operate residential leasing properties and public rental projects are likely to be included in the first batch of financial tools involving individual investors' funds, analysts said.