High-quality bonds in focus

The nation is streamlining the corporate debt issuance approval procedure for "high-quality" corporate bonds, highlighting the need to raise money to support non-financial sectors, with specific criteria defining qualified issuers coming out soon, according to officials from the top economic regulator.

"Timing is of the essence for the government when improving the efficiency of corporate debt issuance approval, in particular for high-quality debt issuers," said an official with the National Development and Reform Commission who declined to be identified, adding that such a move does not mean the government will lose its ability to rein in financial risks, but that money should flow to where the economy needs it most.

A more detailed guideline for greenlighting "high-quality" corporate debt will come out soon, which is expected to benefit enterprises with high ratings and leading enterprises in industries that will play a role in supporting industrial upgrading and regional economic development, according to the commission.