US bankers, Chinese officials quietly plan new talks amid tension

Emissaries from US finance firms are preparing for another round of talks with senior Chinese regulatory officials in an effort to secure access to the Chinese market.

A contingent of Wall Street veterans and high-level Chinese government officials are preparing for talks again, as business leaders work outside of the Biden administration for greater access to the world’s most populous country. An influential group conceived during escalating strains between the U.S. and China in 2018 is arranging a new round of meetings before the end of the year, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The talks, featuring emissaries from U.S. finance as well as senior Chinese regulatory officials, had taken a back seat amid the raging pandemic. The U.S. and China are grappling with protracted standoffs on issues such as market access, data security and international stock listings. China’s most recent crackdown on a number of its own companies burned international investors, further puzzling the U.S. business community, which is seeking more clarity on the recent moves from Beijing.