US Audit Watchdog Says ‘Time Is of the Essence’ in China Talks

The head of the Washington regulator that’s negotiating with Beijing to stave off the delisting of almost 200 Chinese companies from the American stock market is reiterating the US’s tough stance.

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Chair Erica Williams said Thursday that her agency is working to reach an agreement with Chinese authorities. However, she added any accord would just be a first step toward ensuring that PCAOB inspectors can thoroughly review the audit work papers of businesses based in China and Hong Kong.

Erica Williams

Source: Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

“Access to the US capital markets is a privilege, not a right,” Williams said during ...