外资布局中国债市多偏向中长期配置

Core Insights - The trend of international investors increasingly allocating to RMB assets is gaining momentum, with foreign institutions holding a significant portion of China's bond market [1][2][3] Group 1: Foreign Investment in Chinese Bonds - As of June 2023, the custody balance of foreign institutions in China's bond market reached 4.3 trillion yuan, accounting for 2.3% of the total custody balance [1] - The foreign holdings in the interbank bond market amounted to 4.2 trillion yuan, with government bonds making up 2.1 trillion yuan (49.6%) and interbank certificates of deposit at 1.2 trillion yuan (27.2%) [1] - UBS reported that from 2018 to 2022, foreign institutional holdings in Chinese bonds increased from 200 billion USD to 600 billion USD (approximately 4.3 trillion yuan), with a rebound expected starting in the second half of 2024 [2] Group 2: Market Accessibility and Trends - The opening of the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM) in 2016 and the Bond Connect program in 2017 have significantly improved the accessibility for foreign investors [2][3] - A recent UBS survey indicated that central banks globally are increasing their holdings of RMB and euro assets, suggesting a favorable outlook for Chinese bonds over the next 3 to 4 years [2] Group 3: Future Investment Directions - Currently, interest in Chinese bonds is primarily in interest rate bonds, which constitute about 62.3% of the market, while credit bonds make up approximately 37.7% [4] - Foreign investors are expected to gradually diversify into credit bonds and asset-backed securities (ABS), as they begin to explore these options due to their attractive yield characteristics [4][5] - The RMB bond market is characterized by its large scale, high openness, low correlation, and low volatility, making it an appealing choice for foreign investors [5] Group 4: Panda Bonds and Market Dynamics - The issuance of Panda bonds has surged since June 2023, driven by the internationalization of the RMB and the diverse financing needs of foreign issuers and investors [6] - As of August 3, 2023, the issuance scale of Panda bonds in the interbank market reached 116.65 billion yuan, with foreign government agencies and multinational corporations being active participants [6] - The increasing importance and influence of the RMB in the international monetary system are key factors attracting foreign investment into the RMB bond market [6]