Overseas banks in the provincial capital Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shantou - all located in Guangdong Province - will also be permitted to do business in the Chinese currency in one, two and three years, respectively, Ma said.

Ma believed Guangdong's economic strength and experience gained through international exchanges have placed the province in a favorable position for the fierce competition that will ensure the establishment of a well-developed, multipolar financial system.

But he admitted that as the forerunner of China's reform and opening-up policies, Guangdong will be the first to face challenges on its financial front from foreign banks.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2001)