Han Shih Toh

Asia's listed firms must raise their corporate governance to improve market conditions, as international investors continue to eye the US stock market, the Asian Corporate Governance Association has warned.

The games, if they go ahead, potentially in 2027, are expected to bring economic benefits to the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong, and countries part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Analysts are betting that US president Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will strike a deal, which would spur US players to buy Chinese stocks, just as overall sentiment for mainland China and Hong Kong improves.

Rmb internationalisation faces challenges from Trump’s determination to keep the US dollar as the leading global currency; FA understands that Hong Kong is taking a more "commercial" approach.

China is shifting towards manufacturing abroad as opposed to natural resources; on the other hand, Chinese overseas lending has weakened due to domestic economic concerns.

Beijing steps up stimulus measures and reforms, as small firms suffer from a liquidity trap, and some foreign private equity firms leave China.

The SAR's bourse needs to tap companies from beyond mainland China such as those based in Southeast Asia, while also attracting secondary listings, including from the Middle East.

Non-bank lenders, such as private equity, are set to take up the slack from banks in extending credit to commercial real estate in Asia Pacific.

Washington’s policies to curb US investment in China has impacted assets under management in several large funds, and a shift in flows could take years, despite the upcoming US election.

Beijing will issue a spree of special-purpose bonds in order to help meet the ambitious GDP target, but more reforms are likely needed to boost output.