Pension funds plot move on China's US$16 trillion sovereign bond market

China's sovereign debt market is the world's second-largest after the United States. Yet while foreigners own a third of the U.S. Treasury market, they hold just 9.7% of China's sovereign debt, according to government data.

LONDON: China's $16 trillion sovereign debt market is the proverbial elephant in the investment room. But it's becoming too big to ignore, even for the most risk-averse Western investors.

A large, A+ rated market that pays 3% yields, with minimal volatility? It's looking increasingly alluring for European pension funds swimming in sub-zero bond yields as aging populations stretch their finances.