China has defied expectations by successfully establishing a number of state-owned, internationally competitive firms, but the country must increase its outward foreign direct investment if it is to establish a firmer footing in the global marketplace.

Supported by a series of government measures, China's banks recorded a surge in growth in 2008 despite the global credit crisis. Writer Charles Piggott

China's leading banks have come through the credit crisis and resulting global recession well, on the whole posting strong results for 2008. The Banker profiles five of these banks, looking at the ways in which they have transformed themselves by targeting a wider range of businesses and expanding their product offering. Writer Stephen Timewell

The global financial crisis has highlighted weaknesses in equity market structures. The markets must reform if they are to attract long-term institutional liquidity. Writer Michelle Price

China’s biggest banks have enjoyed another good year, but The Banker’s figures show that the steepest growth is among its other institutions. Stephen Timewell reports.