China.org.cn | October 18, 2024
Wu Qing:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. First of all, I would like to thank you for your long-term concern and support for the capital market as well as the work done by the CSRC. To implement the guiding principles from the central financial work conference, the State Council in April of this year issued new guidelines for strengthening regulation, forestalling risks and promoting the high-quality development of the capital market. We have conscientiously implemented these policies, jointly formulated a series of supporting documents in coordination with relevant departments as well as have formulated and revised more than 50 institutions and rules, establishing a "1+N" policy system together with the new guidelines. An array of key measures are also under implementation, and initial progress has been achieved in strengthening regulation, forestalling risks and promoting high-quality development of the capital market.
First, the market ecology has been further improved. We have adhered to the principle that oversight must have "teeth and thorns" and be sharp-pointed. The General Office of the State Council has forwarded a guideline issued by the CSRC and five other central departments and ministries on how to further improve the comprehensive punishment and prevention of financial fraud in the capital market. By the end of August, 577 illegal cases in the field of securities and futures have been investigated and handled, especially some major cases such as the ones involving Evergrande Real Estate Group and CNNC Hua Yuan Titanium Dioxide. Working with the Ministry of Finance, we have strictly investigated and penalized the Evergrande Real Estate Group's auditing agency PwC, forming a strong deterrent.
Second, the underlying systems of the capital market are being improved at a faster pace. Institutions and rules for issuance, listing, dividends, reduction of holdings and trading have been optimized. The dividends of listed companies in 2023 reached 2.2 trillion yuan, hitting a record high. We have strengthened the regulation of program trading, further tightened the regulation rules for program trading and have suspended the securities relending business. We have deepened the reform of lowering fee rates for the public offering fund sector and have encouraged financial institutions to put functional construction first.
Third, market functions have been basically maintained. We have conquered many difficulties and have maintained the appropriate rhythm for IPOs and refinancing. The quality and efficiency of the filing-based management of overseas listing have continuously improved. The function of the bond and futures markets have been steadily exerted. In the first eight months of this year, the exchange bond market issued 8.9 trillion yuan of various bonds, maintaining steady growth.
Fourth, the reform and innovation of the capital market have been firmly promoted. We have focused on doing a good job in five areas of finance. A number of policy catalysts such as the sixteen measures for the capital market to serve the high-level development of technology enterprises and the eight new measures for the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR) have been issued and implemented. Relevant work to support the development of venture capital investment has been done well. We have made mergers, acquisitions and restructuring play better roles. Nearly 50 major restructuring cases have been disclosed in the market since May of this year, and the market response has been relatively positive.
The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made strategic arrangements for further deepening the capital market's reform. The CSRC will adhere to strengthening the foundation, strict regulation and management of the capital market, as well as will promote development and stability through reform, continuously improving the capital market's functions of investment and financing to better serve Chinese modernization. We will focus on three areas: First, we will give more prominence to the enhancement of the inherent stability of the capital market. We will establish a clear orientation of rewarding investors and improve the quality and investment value of listed companies. We will accelerate the reform of the investment side and promote the construction of a policy system for long-term investments. We will issue guidance for promoting the entry of medium and long-term funds into the capital market. We will also further improve the policy toolkit and ensure no systemic risks arise. Second, we will prioritize supporting the recovery and growth of the real economy and the high-quality development of the economy. We will focus on serving key areas such as new quality productive forces, make good use of various capital market tools, such as stocks, bonds and futures, and take multiple measures to activate the merger and acquisition market. We will also issue six measures to promote mergers and acquisitions. At the same time, we will work with all relevant parties to ensure the smooth flow of all sectors including raising funds, investing, managing and withdrawing of private equity and venture capital funds. Third, we will highlight the protection of small and medium-sized investors' legitimate rights and interests. We will resolutely crack down on illegal and irregular activities, such as financial fraud and market manipulation, and at the same time strive to establish more model cases in representative litigation and compensation in advance.
That is all for my introduction. I will continue the discussion with you later. Thank you.