Hong Kong’s markets watchdog is better known for its silences than its statements: Thursday’s one-line confirmation that it is probing the affairs of Hanergy Thin Film Power was only the second live investigation it has confirmed in more than six years.
The Securities and Futures Commission statement came just hours after Li Hejun, chairman of HTF, dismissed the idea of a regulatory investigation as “purely rumour, there is no such possibility”.
Although Mr Li’s comments prompted the SFC to speak out, the watchdog declined to say whether its investigation of HTF affairs had included talks with the company or had been covert — in which case Mr Li would not have known about the probe.