China’s CNOOC Engineering (COOEC) has won an EPCI contract for QatarEnergy’s Maydan Mahzam offshore redevelopment project, taking the value of its Middle East contracts secured over the past three years above RMB 50bn ($7bn). The Tianjin-based offshore engineering contractor said it had successfull…

Chinese renewable energy developer Zhongmin Energy has signed a RMB 4.165bn ($585m) EPC contract for a major offshore wind transmission project off Fujian province. The Shanghai-listed company said its subsidiary, Fujian Fuzhou Mintou Offshore Wind Power, has formally signed the deal for the Changl…

Issuance of ‘dim sum’ and ‘panda’ bonds rises past $149bn so far this year

Staff Writer FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia have announced the launch of ‘Beyond the Barrel’, an educational series aimed at helping Namibians better understand the country’s evolving energy sector and the opportunities it presents for the broader economy. As Namibia’s offshore oil and gas discoveries continue to attract international attention, the series seeks to make the industry more accessible by unpacking key concepts, developments and opportunities in a simple and practical way. “Namibia’s energy story extends far beyond what happens offshore. It has the potential to influence businesses, infrastructure, skills development, logistics and broader economic participation. Through Beyond the Barrel, we want to make these conversations easier to understand and help more Namibians engage meaningfully with this important chapter in our country’s development,” said Angelique Peake, group head of oil and gas strategy at FNB and RMB Namibia. Over the series, Beyond the Barrel will take viewers on a journey through Namibia’s energy landscape, from the fundamentals of offshore oil and gas exploration to the wider opportunities emerging across the value chain. The series will feature industry experts from FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia, who will share practical insights and help unpack the developments shaping Namibia’s energy landscape. Contributors include Peake, Olavi Hangula, oil, gas and energy sector relationship manager at RMB Namibia; Carly Van Der Merwe, growth and energy sector strategist at FNB Namibia; and Naftal Akweenda, oil, gas and energy sector relationship manager at FNB Namibia. “Our aim is not simply to explain the energy industry, but to encourage informed conversations about how Namibia can maximise the opportunities emerging from it. Understanding the industry is an important first step towards identifying wherebusinesses and individuals can participate,” adds Peake. The introductory episode can be followed on FNB Namibia’s YouTube channel and LinkedIn page.

FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia have announced the launch of ‘Beyond the Barrel’, an educational series aimed at helping Namibians better understand the country’s evolving energy sector and the opportunities it presents for the broader economy. As Namibia’s offshore oil and gas discoveries continue to attract international attention, the series

Stablecoins now function like offshore dollar wrappers with 24/7 settlement, soaking up demand China’s convertibility limits can’t satisfy.

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The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has officially introduced its 5-year RMB sovereign bond futures, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the offshore financial markets. Reported by the Securities …

Chinese government bond futures began trading in Hong Kong on Monday, marking authorities’ third attempt to use the hedging tool to further open up the country’s debt market.

HKEX has launched its Five-Year China Government Bond Futures, a significant advancement in Hong Kong's financial landscape, strengthening its offshore RMB market.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to announce today (Monday) the launch of its Five-Year China Government Bond (CGB) Futures contract, marking a significant step forward in the development of Hong Kong’s fixed-income and currencies (FIC) ecosystem and further enriching the city’s offshore Renminbi (RMB) market. HKEX also warmly welcomes the measures announced by Wu Qing, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, to deepen cooperation and connectivity between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets, and supporting the continued development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre. Speaking at the CGB Futures launch ceremony today, Mr Wu outlined a number of measures – as part of a joint announcement between the CSRC and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) – that include the continuing support of eligible Mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and for eligible Hong Kong-listed companies to list in the Mainland; supporting index providers in both markets to strengthen cooperation and launch more indices based on Chinese assets; deepening cooperation between the Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland futures markets to support the launch of a wider range of RMB-denominated futures products in Hong Kong; and supporting institutions in both markets to launch more ETF products.  For HKEX, the new CGB Futures contract expands its growing China-related product suite and complements existing mutual market access programmes, including Bond Connect and Swap Connect. As the only CGB futures contract available in the offshore market, this on-exchange listed instrument enhances investors’ ability to manage duration and interest-rate exposure to the Chinese Mainland bond market. HKEX’s launch ceremony at HKEX Connect Hall today brought together senior representatives from regulatory agencies, financial infrastructure institutions, market participants and industry stakeholders. In addition to Mr Wu, other attendees included Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, Zhou Ji, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Kelvin Wong, Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Carlson Tong, Chairman of HKEX, and Bonnie Y Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKEX, as well as other distinguished guests. HKEX Chairman, Carlson Tong, said: “A vibrant FIC market is critical to Hong Kong’s future growth as an international financial centre. As global investors increase their participation in Asia’s bond and RMB markets, Hong Kong has an important role to play as a trusted, open and connected hub that links China and the world. The launch of Five-Year China Government Bond Futures further strengthens Hong Kong’s offshore RMB product suite, supports the continued internationalisation of the currency, and reinforces the city’s position as a comprehensive platform for capital formation, trading and risk management.” HKEX Chief Executive Officer, Bonnie Y Chan, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of Five-Year China Government Bond Futures today, marking a key milestone as HKEX delivers on its strategic imperative to develop a more diversified, multi-asset marketplace. From Bond Connect and Swap Connect to our growing derivatives, commodities and FIC offerings, we are creating a more integrated ecosystem that enables investors to allocate capital, manage risk and access new opportunities. Looking ahead, we will be working closely with regulators, infrastructure partners and market participants to expand connectivity, broaden product choice and strengthen risk-management capabilities across asset classes.” The CGB Futures contract’s pricing benchmark is supported by ChinaBond Pricing Center Co. Ltd., which licenses bond valuation data and provides price calculation services, enhancing transparency and credibility for offshore market participants. Underlying bond Five-year China Government Bonds issued in the Chinese Mainland, with a 3% annual coupon and annual interest payment Contract size RMB500,000 Contract months The two nearest quarter months, namely March, June, September and December Minimum fluctuation 0.005% of the contract size, equivalent to RMB25 Settlement method Cash settled for difference in RMB Trading arrangements Designated as a derivatives holiday trading contract; no after-hours trading session The SFC Commission Levy will be exempted for the first six months of trading and a market-wide trading fee discount of 50 per cent will be applied until 30 July 2027. At launch, the contract is supported by 13 liquidity providers from banks and securities firms together with extensive market participants, reflecting strong industry engagement. More details about the Five-Year CGB Futures are available on the HKEX website.      CSRC Chairman Wu Qing gives a keynote speech at the launch ceremony of HKEX’s Five-Year CGB Futures. HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers a remark at the launch ceremony of HKEX’s Five-Year CGB Futures. SFC Chairman Kelvin Wong delivers an address at the launch ceremony of HKEX’s Five-Year CGB Futures. HKEX Chairman Carlson Tong welcomes guests at the launch ceremony of HKEX’s Five-Year CGB Futures.  

Hong Kong’s launch of the Bond Connect, the Swap Connect and treasury bond futures has created a closed-loop risk management system between the spot and