New rules aim to protect China's securities investors ( 2003-12-29 23:28) (Xinhua)
China's securities watchdog is to enforce new
rules to protect investors from being misled or deceived about newly listed
companies by brokers.
The China's Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) will bring the rules into
effect from Feb. 1 next year to ensure brokers to issue timely and true
information about companies that are to be listed on the stock market.
Chinese securities brokers, if recognized as qualified sponsors, will have to
meet strict provisions on companies they help to get listed.
Since China's stock markets were established ten years ago, Chinese
securities brokers have a disreputable record for providing false information
about applicant companies that has endangered the investments of millions of
ordinary Chinese.
A provisional regulation requires new applicants to appoint qualified
sponsors to submit their applications.
After listing, the sponsor must remains as its adviser for a period yet to be
specified, the regulation adds.
Sponsors will be subject to snap investigations and will be barred from
operating if they breach any of the regulations.
If the sponsor fails to meet fully disclose information during the sponsoring
period they will be banned for a period of six to 36 months from practicing, the
regulation warns.
The watchdog was aiming to build credibility among securities brokers, a
market analyst said, stressing the establishment of the sponsorship system would
help curb the illegal collusion to rig markets and further boost the confidence
of ordinary investors.