Core Viewpoint - The investigation into Gao Xiang, the general manager of the institutional business department at China Merchants Securities, highlights serious disciplinary violations linked to a commission rebate scheme involving quantitative trading firms, particularly related to the case of Li Cheng, the market director of Huanfang Quantitative [1][3][4]. Group 1: Investigation and Management Changes - Gao Xiang is under investigation for serious violations and is being scrutinized by the disciplinary committees of China Merchants Group and Zhongshan City [3]. - The institutional business department, where Gao worked, generated 10.233 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, accounting for 48.98% of the company's total revenue [3]. - Gao's appointment was short-lived, as he took office less than a month before being investigated, following a recent leadership change at the Shenzhen branch [3]. Group 2: Commission Rebate Scheme - The internal commission rebate system at China Merchants Securities allows brokers to receive 40% of the net trading commissions as performance bonuses [4]. - Gao's case is directly linked to the investigation of Li Cheng, who, along with a former manager, allegedly misused the commission rebate system to siphon off 118 million yuan over six years [4]. - The investigation reveals a potential hidden mechanism of commission rebates between brokers and quantitative private equity firms, violating regulatory guidelines [4]. Group 3: Systemic Risks and Regulatory Response - The Gao Xiang case serves as a warning for internal governance at China Merchants Securities and exposes systemic risks in commission sharing during the rapid growth of quantitative trading [5]. - The new leadership, including Zhu Jiangtao, is expected to focus on balancing performance and compliance, which will be crucial for the industry's transformation [5]. - Regulatory measures are being strengthened, as indicated by the proposed revisions to the Securities Industry Professional Reputation Information Management Measures, which will include any commercial bribery in the record of unlawful conduct [4].