Baidu raises $1 billion in ESG bond issue despite China tech sector woes

Chinese internet giant Baidu Inc has raised $1 billion in a two-tranche, U.S. dollar sustainability bond, its first environment, social and governance transaction. The shorter dated bond was priced at US Treasuries plus 83 basis points, while the longer dated issuance was at US Treasuries plus 113 basis points. Chinese companies have raised $121.2 billion in U.S. dollar debt funding so far in 2021, according to Dealogic data, slightly below the $126.6 billion raised during the same period last year. In its prospectus for the deal lodged with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Baidu acknowledged the impact of China's regulatory crackdown on the tech sector is not yet fully known. In July, China said companies with over one million customers would have to be reviewed by the Cyberspace Administration of China before carrying out listings overseas. "The draft measures remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that have been listed in the United States and intend to conduct further equity or debt offerings, such as us. We cannot predict the impact of the draft measures," Baidu said in the prospectus. On Tuesday, Chinese regulators published new rules aimed at the China tech sector to tackle anti-competitive behaviour and companies' handling of data.