RMB Bond Issuance Welcomed

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the issuance of offshore renminbi municipal government bonds by the Shenzhen Municipal Government in the city in October.

The bonds to be issued will not exceed RMB5 billion which will be listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

Noting that this is the first time a municipal government has issued bonds outside the Mainland, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the move further enriches the range of RMB financial products available in Hong Kong’s market, promotes the internationalisation of RMB and strengthens the city's status as the global offshore RMB business hub, as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

“The issuance showcases Hong Kong as the premier platform facilitating the Mainland to go global, and marks another milestone in the development of financial services in Hong Kong through increasing the breadth and depth of our RMB debt market and enhancing financial co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong."

The bonds will be issued in two-year tenor, three-year tenor and five-year tenor. The three-year and five-year bonds are green bonds.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the Shenzhen Municipal Government will make use of Hong Kong’s financing platform and professional services in issuing RMB bonds in the city, thereby promoting bond market development and green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is a major platform for the allocation of assets by international investors and plays the unique role as the gateway for international capital to access the Mainland. In respect of interest paid or profit received arising from the debt instruments issued in Hong Kong by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, we plan to exempt the payment of profits tax."