It will also invite commercial banks in good standing and qualified investors to participate in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and restructuring of those rural commercial banks, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) told Reuters in response to questions about risks facing the sector.

Officials from the local branch of China's central bank and other regulators recently met financial institutions in Liaoning province to discuss measures to deal with liquidity problems at troubled Bank of Jinzhou, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong-listed bank said on Thursday it is in talks with multiple parties for possible strategic investment and business operations overall are normal.