Finance ministry issues 5 bln yuan of treasury bonds in Macao

China's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday issued 5 billion yuan (about 700 million U.S. dollars) of yuan-denominated bonds in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The issuance comprised 3 billion yuan (approximately 420 million U.S. dollars) in two-year bonds with an interest rate of 1.83 percent and 2 billion yuan (around 280 million U.S. dollars) in five-year bonds with an interest rate of 2.05 percent, according to the ministry.

"The market response was very enthusiastic, and the bond issuance was quite successful. Investors' choices have become more diversified, with monetary institutions, investment banks, and various funds actively participating in the bond investments," said Ye Zhaojia, chairman of the Macao Association of Banks.

This is the third consecutive year for the central government to issue yuan-denominated bonds in Macao, which helps further improve the regular issuance mechanism, consolidate the foundation of Macao's bond market, and provide investors with stable and secure investment options.

The central government issued yuan-denominated bonds in Macao first in 2019, and then in 2022 and 2023.

"This issuance marks the third consecutive year that the Ministry of Finance has issued yuan-denominated bonds in Macao, and the amount of 5 billion yuan still holds the record for the highest single issuance in the Macao bond market. It fully reflects the central government's strong support for Macao to develop modern finance and promote appropriate economic diversification," said Huang Bin, head of the Macao Branch of the Bank of Communications.

Huang noted that the issuance of yuan-denominated bonds in Macao by the Ministry of Finance will further enhance the international recognition and influence of Macao's bond market, and support the sustainable development of Macao's modern finance.

"The continued issuance of government bonds in the Macao market is conducive to the ongoing expansion of Macao's offshore RMB market, providing an accurate pricing benchmark for attracting more high-quality bond issuers to choose Macao for their bond issuance. Additionally, Macao's position in the mechanism for regular overseas issuance of government bonds has been further strengthened, and the fundamentals of its bond market has been continuously consolidated," said Huang.

Finance ministry issues 5 bln yuan of treasury bonds in Macao

The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

Aiming to enhance the integrated combat capability of the aircraft carrier formations, the exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently.

The training was conducted in waters including the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, featuring multiple subjects under real-combat circumstances, the navy said.

During the training, after reaching the designated sea area, several J-15 fighters took off from the flight deck of the Liaoning aircraft carrier and flew to the designated airspace to carry out realistic exercises.

Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was delivered and commissioned to the PLA Navy in September 2012.

Chinese navy conducts dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for first time