Authorities are reportedly close to an agreement that would allow American securities regulators to travel to Hong Kong to inspect audit records of companies based in mainland China. Finalizing the deal still depends on whether U.S. officials are satisfied that all relevant documents will be transferred to the semi-autonomous city-state. (The Wall Street Journal) 

Talking point: The agreement would bring an end to a years-long impasse between the two countries, after former president Donald Trump signed a law that bars foreign companies from trading on U.S. exchanges without providing American regulators access to audit working papers. More than 200 U.S.-listed Chinese companies, including Alibaba Group Holding and internet-services giant Baidu, could be banned from American exchanges starting in 2024. The agreement would allow regulators to travel to Hong Kong strictly for in-person inspections of their financial papers, according to the report.