MNI Press Digest Feb 2: Local Bonds, Real Estate, IPR

The following lists highlights from Chinese press reports on Monday:

China should cap this year's issuance of local govt bonds at CNY3 trillion and focus on resolving risks in previously issued debts, the Securities Daily reported citing Zhang Yiqun, a member of the Society of Public Finance. China should establish the scope and usage of government financing bonds while providing policy tools to help transform existing debts, the Daily said citing Zhang.

More Chinese cities, particularly those with fast rising home prices, are likely to further tighten housing regulations, the China Securities Journal reported citing analysts. Mortgage approvals may also be tightened as easing monetary policies are withdrawn, the newspaper said. Some banks are tightening quotas, delaying lending, and even raising mortgage rates, reflecting regulators' hardening stance on containing bubbles and controlling risks in the real estate market, the newspaper said.

China will step up protection of its intellectual property (IP) rights including enhancing the legal system to promotes awareness, as doing so will ensure future development, President Xi Jinping wrote in the QiuShi Magazine. China will protect its national security while increasing international collaboration and competition in the field of IP, said Xi.