A Chinese banking watchdog is seeking to tighten its grip over financial data to avoid leaks to overseas banking supervisors. Financial experts believe this is part of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) effort to cover up its economic secrets and the corruption of senior officials.
The restrictions apply to financial institutions, which are forbidden to provide business-related documents, information, or data outside of China without authorization. They also apply to foreign banking supervisors, who are not allowed to conduct investigations and collect evidence in China without the consent of authorities.
The top banking regulator said the amended act is expected to expand to 92 articles from the previous 52 articles. The act first came into effect in February 2004.
“CBIRC’s so-called proposing to revise banking regulation is just a formality, while its key steps might have already been accomplished,” said Zheng Zhicheng (pseudonym), an economics professor living in China. Zheng spoke to The Epoch Times on Nov. 15.
Tightened Regulations May Obscure Internal Dealings
The new regulations may provide cover for some senior officials who have deep ties to offshore companies, Zheng said.In its announcement, the U.S. government said Skyrizon was “actively seeking to acquire intellectual property and technology to advance key military capabilities that threaten U.S. national security.”
“This is definitely a sort of CCP-style operation, using offshore companies to secretly acquire overseas military enterprises,” Zheng said.
Layers of Secrets
There may be more to hide. Financial commentator Zhang Jinglun, speaking with The Epoch Times on Nov. 15, said that the Chinese regime does not want to confirm what the world suspects: that China’s economy suffered a devastating blow due to its zero-COVID policy. It is now restricting banks from providing data and documents for fear that its struggling economy, economic corruption, and illegal practices will be exposed.According to Zhang, “Many banks have certain bad debts and some ‘gray’ things, which may be fine for the banks to keep or archive. But for communist governments, it is a must to prevent leaks or exposure.”
Revealed banking data and documents would contain the names and accounts of corrupt officials and their families, every attempt to transfer or conceal family assets overseas, any traces of misappropriating public funds or state capital, and more.
“Out of the ruling party’s interest, high echelons would not feel secure if overseas agencies had evidence of bribery, fraud, or other crimes [committed by] its cadres,” Zhang said.