China eases restrictions on foreign ownership of securities ventures

Previously, Western banks could only own up to 49% of their Chinese securities joint ventures.

An advertising board showing a Chinese stone lion is pictured near an entrance to the headquarters of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), in Beijing, China, September 7, 2015.

China's securities regulator has released new guidelines for foreign investment in Chinese security joint ventures in which it eased some restrictions and launched an application process for more foreign ownership.

The consultation period for the new rules that began in March is now over and the final regulations have been officially released for immediate implementation, the regulator said in an announcement on its website late on Saturday.

During the review, restrictions limiting single foreign investors to a 30% stake in securities ventures, either directly or via a partner, were removed, according to the state-backed

China Securities newspaper.

Foreign bankers had expressed concern over this particular restriction, saying it might have required Western banks to include a third partner in deals which might stymie broadening international participation in China's domestic securities markets.

Foreign firms that wish to make changes to their equity ownership in local securities joint ventures or that wish to establish a new joint venture can now apply to the regulator, it said in a question-and-answer published online.

The move is one part of China's pledge to ease foreign ownership curbs to allow major international banks to bolster their presence in the securities business from underwriting to trading - in the world's second-largest economy.

Previously, Western banks could only own up to 49% of their Chinese securities joint ventures. That lack of control and limited contribution to revenue have long been a source of frustration.