科创板制度未来发展路径探析｜资本市场

Core Viewpoint - The reform of the Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market) is a significant milestone in the market-oriented, legal, and international development of China's capital market, aimed at enhancing market functions and supporting technological innovation [4]. Group 1: Development and Achievements of the STAR Market - Since its establishment in 2018, the STAR Market has made notable progress in facilitating direct financing for technology enterprises, promoting deep integration of capital and industry, and exploring a disclosure-oriented regulatory system [4]. - The STAR Market has evolved through three phases: the establishment phase (2019-2020), the improvement phase (2021-2023), and the deepening reform phase (2024 onwards) [6]. - The establishment phase introduced a pilot registration system with five market capitalization-based listing standards, allowing unprofitable companies and those with special equity structures to list, thus enhancing issuance efficiency [6]. - The improvement phase saw the implementation of a comprehensive registration system and the establishment of a more complete market ecosystem, including the introduction of market maker systems and the first global depository receipts (GDR) [6]. - The deepening reform phase includes measures to enhance the registration system and investment coordination mechanisms, such as establishing a growth tier and expanding the applicability of the fifth set of standards [6]. Group 2: Challenges in the STAR Market - Despite a relatively mature system, structural issues remain, including a cautious execution of the registration system, which affects the balance between "release" and "management" [7]. - The mechanism for identifying sci-tech attributes does not adequately match the characteristics of emerging industries, relying heavily on traditional metrics like R&D investment and patent numbers [8]. - The marketization level of the primary market and the connection with the secondary market need improvement, as the collaboration between state funds and specialized investment institutions is unclear [8]. - The investment exit mechanism lacks flexibility, with long lock-up periods for strategic investors and pre-IPO institutions, impacting reinvestment capabilities and market liquidity [8]. - Red-chip companies face challenges related to valuation discrepancies, complex ownership structures, and cross-border regulatory coordination, leading to unstable market expectations [8]. Group 3: Optimization Paths for the STAR Market - Strengthening the identification mechanism for sci-tech attributes by emphasizing market mechanisms and professional investment capabilities, avoiding rigid administrative standards [10]. - Expanding the applicability of the fifth set of listing standards to include more flexible and industry-differentiated criteria, particularly for light-asset industries like AI and cloud computing [11]. - Constructing a comprehensive information disclosure mechanism covering the entire lifecycle of enterprises, including establishing a database for prospective listed companies and enhancing penalties for fraudulent disclosures [12]. - Exploring recognition mechanisms for early-stage and small-scale venture capital institutions to foster a more specialized investment ecosystem [13].