China's top coal producer is developing an A-share listing plan in line with corporate development strategy and government policy, an insider close to the plan disclosed yesterday.

 

"The planned A-share listing of Shenhua will turn out to be a win-win situation for both the company and China's stock markets. In fact, many energy-related national companies listed overseas are queuing up for a mainland listing," said Han Xiaoping, executive vice-president of Beijing Falcon Pioneer Technology Co Ltd.

 

Hong Kong-listed China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd was reported to receive injections of assets, including wind-power and coal-fire power businesses, from its mainland parent company. Chairman Chen Biting said his firm was also considering an A-share listing and had set up a committee to conduct preparatory work, according to Reuters reports yesterday.

 

Huang Qing, spokesman of China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd, declined to elaborate on the latest developments of the firm's A-share plan yesterday.

 

"Shenhua's injection of wind and coal-fire power into the Hong Kong-listed arm aims to raise the company's profile in the global market. It doesn't have too much to do with the firm's mainland listing plan," Han said.

 

In his eyes, the high price earning to growth ratio of the mainland stock markets is the greatest incentive for companies such as Shenhua to come back.

 

"Listed both in Hong Kong and on the mainland, well-performing companies such as Shenhua can get enough funding and be subject to stringent regulations at the same time. It is, therefore, a good choice to seek dual listing," Han said.

 

The A-share listings of energy conglomerates such as Shenhua can, in return, benefit mainland stock investors by driving up the stock index and bringing them more investment returns, according to Han.

 

(China Daily March 6, 2007)