Mark Johnston
Based in Singapore, Mark is an experienced journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting on technology and business trends throughout Asia. Mark got his start as an engineer, graduating from the UK's Queen's University of Belfast with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. As senior reporter for Regulation Asia, Mark focuses on regulatory changes impacting financial markets, with particular interest in fintech, cybersecurity and crypto markets.
Articles by Mark Johnston
Resolution & Recovery
China Blocks Key Debt Restructuring Tool for Property Developers
11/09/2026
The CSRC is declining to register mandatory convertible bonds used in offshore workouts, impacting firms like Country Garden and jeopardising existing deals.
Structural Regulation
China’s Regulators Detail Five-Year Plan to Build ‘Financial Powerhouse’
11/09/2026
Top officials have detailed plans for monetary policy reform, stricter supervision, and deeper capital market opening under the country's 15th Five-Year Plan.
Credit Risk
China Outlines New Investment Framework for Rural Revitalisation
11/09/2026
New plan directs financial institutions to increase support for the rural sector through credit, insurance, and capital market innovations.
Structural Regulation
China Proposes Unified Information Disclosure Rules for Banks and Insurers
10/09/2026
The new draft rules aim to consolidate fragmented regulations, enhance corporate governance, and strengthen regulatory oversight across the financial sector.
Trading & Investment
Korea Scales Back Plans to Introduce After Hours Trading for ETFs
09/09/2026
KRX has excluded ETFs from its new after-hours session, citing stability concerns and impacting the launch plans of alternative venue Nextrade.
Structural Regulation
China’s CXMT Sues Pentagon Over Military Blacklist
08/09/2026
The country’s top memory chipmaker is challenging its ‘Chinese Military Company’ designation, alleging the decision was arbitrary and unlawful.
Capital Adequacy
China Deploys $54 Billion to Recapitalise State Banks and Insurers
08/09/2026
The move, funded by special treasury bonds, marks the first such capital support for state insurers amid growing financial system stress.
Data Privacy
Taiwan Issues New Rules on Data Sharing for Securities Firms
08/09/2026
The updated order requires board-approved controls and customer consent, aligning the sector with broader cross-industry data sharing guidelines.
Reporting & Disclosures
New Asset Management Disclosure Rules Take Effect in China
08/09/2026
New rules mandating unified disclosure for wealth products took effect on 1 September, but less than half of required announcements were compliant ahead of the deadline.
Structural Regulation
China Scraps Decades-Old Dividend Tax Break for Foreign Individuals
04/09/2026
The move ends a 1994 exemption and applies a standard 20 percent tax rate, part of a broader push for market unification.
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