City Of London

An Investing Enigma in London Is Helping Direct $3 Trillion in China Reserves

  • SAFE’s London arm best known for past property deals
  • UK accounts shed little light on low profile fund’s operations
Gingko Tree occupies a floor of this City of London skyscraper.Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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Even by the sometimes opaque standards of Chinese government entities, the inner workings of Gingko Tree Investment are a mystery.

From the 15th floor of a skyscraper in the heart of the City of London, some 30 employees carry out investment research for its owner, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Their advice helps direct how a portion of $3 trillion in Chinese foreign reserves is invested.