HSBC Bank (China) Co said yesterday it has further expanded its presence in China's Bohai Rim region and is strengthening its network in inland cities.

The bank yesterday became the first foreign bank to open a branch in Jinan, the capital of the eastern Shandong Province. It has also obtained approval to establish a branch in Taiyuan, the capital of the northwest Shanxi Province.

The bank said network expansion is pivotal to its China strategy.

The Bohai Rim region, which includes Jinan, offers great potential and is one of its key areas for business development.

(Shanghai Daily July 22, 2009)