Research Reports»China Investor Survey 2020

Thoughts and strategies: Foreword by Simon Kellaway

On behalf of Standard Chartered, I am pleased to share the research and analysis from the 2020 China Investor Survey.

Follow the leader

At the end of a dramatic year, some observers think China could lead the world out of an economic slump. We asked the financial community for their views.

Shift in drivers reflects infrastructure developments

While the survey highlights a positive outlook for China-bound investment, it finds that 65% of respondents are monitoring economic and political developments closely (fig 5), both within the Greater China region and globally, to identify potential risks and opportunities these may present for their investment strategies.

Access channels

The survey also affirms the position of Stock Connect and (more gradually) Bond Connect as access channels of choice for many international asset managers and institutional investors, offering simple registration and fast entry for those who previously found it challenging to execute their investment ambitions in China through the QFII or RQFII schemes (known as QFI after November 1, 2020).

JVs and WFOEs

The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC), the Chinese regulator of private fund businesses, established rules in 2016 enabling wholly owned foreign enterprises (WFOEs) to offer private securities fund management.

Regulatory changes

With Chinese regulators advancing a wide array of policy proposals designed to enhance market access and improve market efficiency, the survey asked respondents to prioritise which of these reforms will have the greatest impact on their business.