Hopeful on Internet banks

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Sunday that he hoped the development of Internet banking could push forward the reform of China's financial institutions during a visit to Shenzhen-based WeBank, which is partly owned by the country's Internet giant Tencent Holdings.

"I hope your [WeBank's] experience could benefit other companies," Li said.

China Banking Regulatory Commission, the country's top banking regulator, granted approval to Tencent on December 12 to start its banking operations. The bank rolled out its website on December 28.

WeBank, located in Shenzhen's Qianhai special economic zone in South China's Guangdong Province, has registered capital of 3 billion yuan ($490 million).