China unveils plan to improve system for review, approval of status of qualified foreign investors

China has rolled out a work plan for improving its system for review and approval of the status of qualified foreign institutional investors (QFII), in efforts to attract more long-term overseas capital, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, announced at the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025 on Monday.

According to the plan, the reforms for improving the system of review and approval of the status of OFIIs are expected to be implemented over the next two years.

The plan includes a green channel and simplified process for allocation-focused investors such as sovereign wealth funds, international organizations, and pension or charitable funds, the CSRC said.

Meanwhile, foreign public funds will be granted the same treatment as domestic public funds in calculating short-term trading ratios, with the calculation based on each individual fund product, so as to facilitate investment by large global asset managers, according to the plan.

"As a major measure for opening-up this year, the plan for the work of improving the qualified foreign institutional investors system will be officially launched today. It includes measures on improving market access, raising investment operation efficiency and expanding investment channels, in order to foster a more transparent, convenient and efficient institutional environment for all types of overseas investors. Among them, two measures -- fast-track review and approval and account opening, and a green channel for access of allocation-oriented overseas capital -- will take effect today. In addition, two cross-listed ETF products for Chinese investment in overseas markets will be unveiled for fundraising in the near future," Wu said at the forum.

The Chinese securities regulatory authorities will also enhance cross-border connectivity and deepen cooperation between mainland markets and the Hong Kong market, Wu said.

"We will further enhance the mechanism for mutual access and connectivity, improve the efficiency and quality of overseas listing, and deepen practical cooperation between mainland markets and the Hong Kong market, in striving to promote the formation of a new development pattern featuring coordinated development of both onshore and offshore shares and development of a favorable relationship between opening up and security," he said.

China unveils plan to improve system for review, approval of status of qualified foreign investors

The U.S. claim to take control of Greenland is unacceptable and it aims to sow division within its NATO members and its natural allies in Europe to serve its own interests, said a Spanish expert.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Spanish international relations expert Javier Porras Belarra said he could not understand the U.S. position on Greenland and found the related remarks unacceptable.

"From our point of view, these U.S. statements are equivalent to an infringement on European territory, because we must remember that Greenland belongs to Denmark. That means we are facing a conflict, or at least a potential conflict, taking place on European soil, and even more broadly, between NATO member states. So U.S. President Donald Trump's claims regarding Greenland were nearly impossible to justify or accept, and the European Union is viewing this with a certain amount of astonishment, because this kind of claim from the U.S. is inconceivable," he said.

The expert said the U.S. administration has been intensifying divisions within NATO through its policies and rhetoric, while weakening ties with traditional European allies.

According to the expert, the U.S. administration is trying to undermine European unity to advance its own interests.

"The U.S. administration is deepening divisions within NATO and eroding relationships with its traditional allies, namely European countries. This is a classic 'divide and conquer' strategy. They think this will work in their favor and believe a united Europe is not in the U.S. interests, or at least not in the interests of the current administration," he said.

U.S. claim to control Greenland creates division within European allies for its own interests: expert