Press Releases

Promulgation of Administrative Arrangements for
Foreign Direct Investments in Renminbi by the Mainland authorities

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) welcomes the promulgation by the People’s Bank of China and the Ministry of Commerce today (Friday) of the administrative rules for conducting foreign direct investments in renminbi.

Mr Norman Chan, Chief Executive of the HKMA said, “The offshore and onshore renminbi markets are linked by three bridges, namely, cross-border trade, direct investments and portfolio investments.  This is an important step in further expanding the bridge for the use of renminbi for direct investments, following the promulgation of the administrative rules for the use of renminbi by Mainland enterprises to conduct overseas direct investments in January this year.”

He added, “The promulgation of the administrative rules regarding foreign direct investments in renminbi will greatly expand the use of renminbi funds in Hong Kong and promote the development of the renminbi bond market and financing activities in Hong Kong, enabling the development of the Hong Kong offshore renminbi business centre to reach a new level.”

In the past year or so, the development of Hong Kong as the offshore renminbi business centre has been deepened and advanced, playing a very important role in the increasing use of renminbi in cross-border trade and investments and the currency’s internationalisation, and at the same time supporting the development of offshore renminbi businesses in different places around the world.  In this regard, further to the roadshows conducted in Australia, Russia and the UK earlier this year, Mr Norman Chan will be travelling to Spain next week to promote Hong Kong’s offshore renminbi clearing and business platform.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
14 October 2011