ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the nature of corporate governance reform within Chinese banks. It investigates the variety of institutional and cultural factors that have influenced the adoption of Anglo-Saxon corporate governance practices in Chinese banks. The chapter provide an overview of the development of corporate governance in China, highlighting the influence of Anglo-Saxon economic thought on early reforms. It analyzes interviews with those of our participants who were involved in strategic partnerships between Western and Chinese banks. The chapter focuses on themes such as the perceived effectiveness of Western non-executive directors, the practice of senior Chinese managers holding political appointments and the lived experiences of managers involved in technical assistance projects aimed at improving corporate governance. It explains the way in which political context and cultural preferences can influence business rationales. The regulations governing the ownership and management of modern Chinese corporations are described in the Company Law.