Source: Bloomberg (paywall)
Despite explicit direction from Beijing to support tech ventures, Chinese banks are rationing credit to unprofitable startups and favoring traditional industries with reliable cash flows. This exposes a real constraint on regulatory guidance: when balance sheet discipline collides with policy intent, banks face pressure from depositors and capital requirements that government direction alone cannot override. The gap matters for China's tech ambitions. If domestic capital won't fund loss-making innovation at scale, startups face slower growth or increased dependence on state-owned venture funds and alternative financing.