MNI China Press Digest, Feb 10: NPL, Business, Infrastructure

     BEIJING (MNI) - The following lists highlights from Chinese press reports

on Monday: 

     Regulators in China should tolerate an increase in non-performing loans as

services companies deal with the impact of the coronavirus, according to a

commentary on the front page of the Economic Information Daily. Citing the

impact on companies across retailing and wholesaling, and in sectors such as

hotels and restaurants, the commentary says regulators should adjust assessment

indicators and encourage institutions to funnel resources to companies

participating in epidemic prevention or those impacted by the epidemic.

     More than 80% of China's listed companies are expected to resume operations

this week after the extended break caused by the coronavirus epidemic, according

to Liu Zhe, deputy head of the Wanb Institute as reported by the China

Securities Journal. The Journal report also cited Zhang Yu, the chief

macroeconomic analyst with Huachuang Securities, who said many companies were

still facing supply chain and transport disruptions, and also a shortage of

workers and a dearth of virus protection equipment such as masks.

     China's Ministry of Transport has urged local authorities to resume or

commence the construction of highway and water carriage projects as a way to

stabilize economic growth, according to a report in the Shanghai Securities

News. The report cites a statement from the ministry, which says that with the

exception of Hubei province and some other areas severely affected by the

epidemic, local authorities should resume construction before February 20.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

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