Core Viewpoint - The development of Free Trade Zone (FTZ) bonds in China has evolved since the establishment of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2013, highlighting the need for diversified issuers and a robust credit rating system to promote high-quality growth in the FTZ bond market [1][2][3] Development Stages - The FTZ bond market can be categorized into several stages: 1. **Incubation Period (Sep 2013 - Apr 2016)**: Establishment of the Shanghai FTZ and initial policy support for cross-border financing [4] 2. **Exploration Period (May 2016 - Oct 2019)**: Implementation of guidelines for bond registration and issuance, leading to the first FTZ bond issuance [4] 3. **Development Period (Nov 2019 - Jun 2023)**: Rapid growth in bond issuance, particularly by local state-owned enterprises, reaching a peak in 2022 [5] 4. **Adjustment Period (Jul 2023 - Present)**: Regulatory tightening and a slowdown in bond issuance, with only one bond issued in 2023 [5][6] Market Characteristics - **Increasing Market Size**: The issuance scale of FTZ bonds grew from 1 billion RMB in 2019 to 83.714 billion RMB in 2023, driven by favorable financing conditions compared to offshore dollar bonds [7] - **High Concentration of Issuers**: The majority of FTZ bonds (180 out of 189) were issued by domestic entities, with local government financing vehicles being the primary issuers [9] - **Investor Composition**: The market is predominantly supported by domestic banks, with the RMB being the most active currency for transactions [12] - **Interest Rates**: FTZ bonds typically have slightly higher interest rates than domestic bonds, influenced by investor structure and issuance methods [13] Recommendations for Market Development - **Diversification of Issuers**: Encourage a wider range of issuers beyond state-owned enterprises and support sectors like technology and green development [17] - **Enhancement of Credit Rating Systems**: Improve the credit rating framework to boost investor confidence and attract international capital [18] - **Development of Secondary Market**: Establish a dedicated electronic trading platform for FTZ bonds to enhance liquidity and market efficiency [19] - **Regulatory Framework Improvement**: Strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to clarify rights and obligations, ensuring market integrity and investor protection [20][21]