Mainland Chinese households held up to RMB160 trillion (US$22 trillion) in cash, HSBC Global Research issued a research report saying. It is estimated that a portion of these assets, i.e., approx. RMB50 trillion (US$6.5 trillion), may be shifted into stock market investments, which also helps explain the record inflows into Hong Kong through the Southbound Trading of Stock Connects YTD.The enthusiasm of Mainland Chinese households for purchasing Hong Kong equities implies that the low interest rates in China are reducing the discount rate for Hong Kong's stock market, HSBC Global Research noted. It also helps support the Hong Kong stock market and explains why, Chinese companies have raised more funds through IPOs in Hong Kong than on local exchanges YTD. Related NewsCICC Lists A-shr Companies that May List on H-shr Mkt Soon (Table)The broker believed that Hong Kong will increasingly become a gateway for Chinese households to global or regional investments.