Decentralization of the Regulation of China’s Financial Markets

Abstract

This chapter discusses the decentralization of China’s securities markets and the regulatory roles and ambitions of local governments. Multi-level financial market regulation is an intrinsic part of the Chinese regulatory system, and the chapter looks at the effects and implications of decentralization of financial markets regulation. The powers of local governments to regulate credit companies, financing guarantor companies, private capital management companies, and regional markets are reviewed, as are the economic and political tensions between local and central government objectives, and the possible distorting effects of local government competition for financial services business and private local investment.