China’s central bank is examining an allegation by the state broadcaster that a major state bank is illegally helping rich clients move money overseas, in violation of the country’s strict foreign-exchange controls.
The allegation by China Central Television (CCTV) against Bank of China, aired on Wednesday, has struck a nerve in the country, where tales of corrupt officials spirting ill-gotten wealth offshore have fuelled a sweeping anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping.
The official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that the People’s Bank of China is looking into CCTV’s report, though the report did not identify Bank of China by name and its language suggested the central bank’s probe has not reached the level of a formal investigation.