China pumps $53bn into banks and insurers
Beijing widens recapitalisation plan to more state-controlled institutions in bid to boost financial performance
China announced on Sunday that it will inject a total of $53.6 billion into eight state-owned banks and insurance companies as part of efforts to bolster its slowing economy. The financing, led by the country's finance ministry, aims to strengthen the financial system's resilience and enhance its capacity to support the real economy.
The $53.6 billion package represents $360 billion yuan and will bolster the financial health of three major lenders and five insurers, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation.
The move comes amid a host of challenges for China, including trade tensions with the West, the fallout from the Iran war, and an aging population. President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized the importance of financial stability to national security.
The announcement follows Beijing's decision to reduce its economic growth target for the year to between 4.5% and 5% in March, its lowest expansion goal since 1991. This step has been interpreted by some analysts as a recognition of pre-existing economic weakness.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
