"To Reduce Potential Risks"
British-Swedish global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is reportedly considering separating its China division and listing it in Hong Kong.
On the 19th (local time), major foreign media outlets including AFP reported that the company is exploring plans to create a separate entity for its China division that can trade shares on the Hong Kong or Shanghai stock exchanges.
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the West, including the United States, and China, the company has reportedly been discussing this plan for several months to reduce risks. Foreign media analyzed that this could reduce the risk of retaliatory crackdowns by the Chinese government and prevent Western investors from being exposed to risks.
If the plan is realized, it is expected that AstraZeneca will be able to continue its business stably in China, one of the world's top five pharmaceutical markets along with the United States, Japan, Germany, and France. AstraZeneca declined to comment on the reports.
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