What do China’s new investment rules mean for foreign investors and VIE structures?
21世纪经济报道 21财经APP
2021-12-28

Hi everyone. I’m Stephanie LI.

大家好,我是主持人李莹亮。

Coming up on today’s program.

重点提要 

Here’s what you need to know about China in the past 24 hours 

中国经济要闻

Chinese companies engaged in businesses that are barred from foreign investment can now file for offshore share sales as long as they win regulatory approval and cap foreign ownership, the country’s top economic planner said Monday.

The negative list, jointly issued by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Commerce, takes effect Saturday. It’s the 5th consecutive year that China cuts negative list for foreign companies.

The new rules now apply that list to companies issuing shares overseas for the first time and come as China is tightening scrutiny over offshore share sales. 

Chinese companies in sectors prohibited for foreign investment "should get clearance from relevant Chinese regulatory bodies, if they seek share sales and list in overseas markets," the NDRC said, plugging a regulatory loophole. 

In addition, "foreign investors must not participate in the operation and management of the companies" and their holdings are to be capped at 30 percent, in line with the rules regulating locally listed companies. 

However, some analysts said that the new rules may put VIE structure companies to a less advantageous position. If a company is in a negative list that foreign investors are not allowed to invest in, the VIE structure is the same as non-VIE structure, but the former could face more policy risks.

The NDRC statement comes just days after China's securities regulator published draft rules requiring filings by companies seeking offshore listings to ensure they comply with Chinese laws and regulations. Under the new filing system, VIE-structured companies, a structure prevalently used by technologies firms seeking overseas capital, will still be allowed to list as long as they are compliant. 

The CSRC also said China will also seek better regulatory cooperation with overseas counterparts in sharing information, cracking down on corporate financial fraud and other illegal activities.

为资本设置的“红绿灯”正式启动。

12月27日,国家发展改革委、商务部发布了《外商投资准入特别管理措施(负面清单)(2021年版)》和《自由贸易试验区外商投资准入特别管理措施(负面清单)(2021年版)》。国家发改委有关负责人介绍,2021年版外资准入负面清单进一步缩短了长度,完善了管理制度,提高了精准度。全国和自贸试验区负面清单进一步缩减至31条、27条,压减比例分别为6.1%、10%。

新条款为从事负面清单禁止投资领域业务的境内企业到境外上市提供了政策空间,是提高外资准入负面清单管理精准度、包容性的一项具体举措。同时,明确该类企业赴境外上市需要满足外资不参与企业经营管理和股比符合规定两个条件。负面清单禁止投资领域的境内企业,在境外IPO时允许境外投资者投资,要求不参与企业经营管理、股比不超过30%

该条款中“应当经国家有关主管部门审核同意”,系指审核同意境内企业赴境外上市不适用负面清单禁止性规定,而不是指审核境内企业赴境外上市的活动本身。国家支持企业依法合规选择国际国内两个市场进行融资,实现健康可持续发展。  

不过,有分析人士称,这一新规可能让VIE架构公司失去一定的优势。最新的负面清单允许禁投领域的境内企业在境外上市时有境外投资者入股,就意味着VIE架构的政策规避优势仅存在于IPO前。在IPO时,如果一家公司属于负面清单中的外商禁止投资的领域,VIE架构与非VIE架构差别不大,但前者会面临更多的政策风险。

12月24日,中国证监会公布《国务院关于境内企业境外发行证券和上市的管理规定(草案征求意见稿)》和《境内企业境外发行证券和上市备案管理办法(征求意见稿)》,就境内企业境外发行证券和上市向社会公开征求意见。证监会明确,在遵守境内法律法规的前提下,满足合规要求的VIE架构企业备案后可以赴境外上市。

有业内人士认为,这意味着中国企业仍可以在合规操作情况下,通过VIE架构实现海外上市,预示着相关部门对VIE架构企业海外上市开了“绿灯”。

值得注意的是,《境外上市新规》还提出,中国证监会与美国证券交易委员会(SEC)等海外同行开展设立跨境合作机制。业内人士认为,这意味着中国相关部门将积极寻求与美国相关部门开展合作,解决中概股在美上市的审计底稿递交、会计监管、明确相关企业财务信息使用用途等问题。

Update on COVID-19

疫情简报

Next on industry and company news

产经消息及公司新闻

Switching gears to the financial sector

金融市场要闻

Wrapping up with a quick look at the stock market

最后来看股市收盘情况

(欢迎大家提供意见和反馈,请联系主播李莹亮:liyl@21jingji.com)

Executive Editor: Sonia YU

Editor: LI Yanxia

Host: Stephanie LI

Writer: Stephanie LI, ZHANG Ran

Producer: XIANG Xiufang

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Co-produced by 21st Century Business Herald Dept. of Overseas News & SFC Audio/Video Dept.

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编委:  于晓娜

策划、编辑:李艳霞 

播音:李莹亮

撰稿:李莹亮、张然

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(作者:李莹亮,见习记者张然 编辑:李艳霞)