China's banking reform: The remaining agenda

Since 1994, China has endeavoured to establish a banking system that works more closely to commercial principles by transforming the specialized banks (SBs) into state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs). However, lending decisions of the SOCBs were still determined by state directives instead of profitability consideration. This paper argues that although the post- WTO banking reforms have accomplished staggering results, China's SOCBs need an overhaul of ownership structure if China aims to develop a full-fledged market-based banking system. It also argues that the current banking reforms are not comprehensive enough to sustain China's longterm economic development because there still remain noticeable capital constraints facing smalland medium-sized private enterprises, particularly those in rural areas.