Policy Direction - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of Public Funds" on May 7, 2025, following the Central Political Bureau's meeting on September 26, 2024, which called for steady progress in public fund reforms[1] - The action plan includes 25 actionable measures across five key areas, focusing on optimizing fee structures, strengthening investor-company alignment, enhancing investor services, increasing equity investment scale and stability, and promoting strong regulation to mitigate risks[6] Industry Impact - The action plan aims to increase the scale and proportion of equity investments in public funds, positioning equity funds as the primary growth area[8] - A shift towards team-based management for fund managers is encouraged, which is expected to reduce turnover rates and focus on long-term investor returns, moving away from short-term performance pressures[9] - Sales expenses are projected to decrease as the focus shifts from short-term performance-driven marketing to a more sustainable approach, integrating investor outcomes into executive performance evaluations[9] Business Model Evolution - The industry is expected to evolve into a landscape dominated by large integrated asset management and wealth management firms, with support for market-driven mergers and acquisitions among fund companies[10] - The action plan emphasizes the need for cost control alongside fee reductions to maintain profitability, with potential short-term impacts on overall industry profits if not managed effectively[10] - Smaller fund companies may face challenges in survival unless they establish differentiated business models, as the market consolidates around larger firms[10] Risk Considerations - Economic growth below expectations and declining investor risk appetite could hinder the expansion of equity fund scales[12]