BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- HSBC is on a tight schedule as it works to open rural subsidiaries around China and tap the long-neglected but now fast-growing rural economy.

    HSBC got approval in August from China's banking regulator to open a wholly owned subsidiary in Cengdu County of Suizhou City, Hubei Province.

    HSBC Rural Bank, the subsidiary, which is expected to open for business next month, will make the British financial giant the first foreign bank to expand into China's hinterlands.

    Recently, it sent experts to Kaixian County, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, preparing to open another village bank, according to the county government.

    "HSBC will open a rural bank in Chongqing in the first half of next year," said a source with the county government, which didn't reveal ...

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