Early in 2001, the
China
Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China's top securities
watchdog, declared this year a "year of market supervision," but
nobody took the announcement too seriously.
CSRC, however, has kept its word.
Early this year the stock market was investigated for the illicit
use of bank funds for stock speculation and market manipulation,
and later there was a campaign against earnings falsification by
listed companies.
CSRC chairman Zhou Xiaochuan has promised on various occasions to
stamp out irregularities in the ten-year-old market with sweeping
and relentless actions.
The inspection department of the CSRC has just increased its number
of investigators, including those in nine nationwide branches, to
about 200 this year. In spite of this it has been in the limelight
more frequently than ever.
A
series of scandals, involving several blue-chip stocks, were
uncovered as the result of CSRC probes. The climax came during
August and September, when more than 40 listed companies were
convicted of illegitimate activity, including the well-known
Guangxia (Yinchuan) Industry Co., a Shenzhen-listed biochemical
firm with an impressive profit record over the years.
The CSRC was acknowledged by the media for quick action in the
Guangxia case. It had formally began the probe on August 3, and in
a month those found to have violated laws had been arrested. It was
confirmed that one of the firm's wholly-owned subsidiaries had made
false financial statements.
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji had said at a press conference in March
that the CSRC bears the responsibility to improve supervision over
the securities market so as to make a fair, equitable and open
market.
"There will be a lot of work but we will do a good job this year in
the rectification of listed companies and investment funds, " he
stressed.
China's bull stock market witnessed a dramatic turn in June. The
composite index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange had been sliding
down from 2,245 points on June 14, and hit the lowest 1, 515 points
on October 15. And the slump continues.
Regardless of the call for loosening the clampdowns, the CSRC
chairman pointed out at a meeting that probes and investigations
will go on as part of the regular work of the CSRC.
Regulators should not have a hand in adjusting the market as this
will endanger the further development of China's young stock
market, he added.
The CSRC set up its inspection subsidiaries in nine major areas
early this year. And it is working to improve the cooperation with
other regulators, such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of
Justice, Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
Police.
More rules and regulations were also announced this year by the
CSRC. For instance, more than 20 regulations were publicized
concerning corporate transparency.
"The government action has resulted in some positive changes," said
Qi Liang, general manager of Research and Development Department
under China Securities Co., Ltd. "The market appears not to blindly
follow big investors and insider information and people are paying
more attention to the corporate quality."
"Some people do earn easy money through abnormal trading
activities, but this won't last forever as the country is
struggling to introduce real market operations," he said.
The clampdown in the securities market is far from an exception
while the whole country is rectifying market order. The State
Council had listed the financial market, including banks,
securities and insurance companies, among major sectors that need
enhanced regulation in the next five years.
The CSRC source said that it is preparing to set up another
inspection department to look into insider activities and price
fixing.
Analysts here regarded this as a significant action. Price rigging
has led to high risks in the present stock market and it is
difficult for regulators to start probes as the dragnet may expand
to brokerage, banks and institutions, the analysts said.
(China
Daily December 31,2001)