China considers ways to manage financial risks stemming from capital inflows

[BEIJING] China's top banking and insurance regulator expressed wariness of the risk of bubbles bursting in foreign markets, and said Beijing is studying effective measures to manage capital inflows to prevent turbulence in the domestic market.

Global markets are starting to see side effects of fiscal and monetary policy steps in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, said Guo Shuqing, head of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, at a news conference on Tuesday.

"Financial markets are trading at high levels in Europe, the US and other developed countries, which runs counter to the real economy," Mr Guo added.

As the economy has become highly globalised, foreign capital flowing into China will increase significantly due to economic recovery and attractive asset prices, said Mr Guo, adding that Beijing is studying plans to manage the inflows to prevent turbulence in the domestic market.

Mr Guo also said relatively big bubbles is the core issue facing China's property sector.

"It is quite dangerous that many people are buying homes not for living in, but for investment or speculation."

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If the housing market goes down, the value of properties held by people will suffer from huge losses, leading to a vicious cycle of unpaid mortgages and economic chaos, he said.

REUTERS