Open for business

摘要

Set astride the entrances to hsbc's main building in Hong Kong are two huge lions, guardians of the wealth of Britain's biggest bank. On the roof, two large metal rods point menacingly at the angular tower occupied by Bank of China, a rival. Both were installed on the advice of hsbc's feng shui advisers, the latter to protect the bank from the 'negative energy' generated by Bank of China's building. Britain's banks, heirs to empire, have long coveted the riches of China. On October 15th their hopes of reaping them rose greatly when the chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, announced a deal with China that is intended to make Britain the main offshore hub for trading in China's currency and bonds and for foreign institutions investing in China's fast-growing economy.