China's foreign exchange chief has stepped up his attacks on massive fund inflows, warning of "excessive speculation" in the property market, state media said Sunday. "Indiscriminate support of exports and foreign capital influx has created short-term economic problems," said Guo Shuqing, director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, according to Xinhua news agency.
The problems include "excessive speculation in the property market and the economic decoupling of the fast-growing coastal areas with the rest of China," Guo was quoted as saying.
He said his administration had spotted foreign funds that entered China disguised as money for trade or direct investment purposes but ended up being used to buy financial assets and property.
"We found the phenomenon of one single (overseas) person buying up to 100 houses in coastal cities," Guo was quoted as saying. "This is apparently speculative activity."
It is not the first warning from Guo, who is reportedly about to take over the reins at China Construction Bank after its chairman resigned amid corruption allegations.
Earlier this month, Guo warned of "no end of trouble for the future" unless local governments were made aware of the risks of soaking up foreign funds.