AstraZeneca’s Spinoff Plan Reflects China Tensions: ECM Watch

UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc’s plans to possibly spin off its China business and list it in Hong Kong show the impact tensions between Beijing and the West are having on businesses.

The drugmaker began discussing the idea with bankers several months ago as geopolitical tensions grew, the Financial Times reported. Astra is among an increasing number of multinational companies now considering that option, the newspaper said, citing three people familiar with the talks.

The entity could also be listed in Shanghai, one of the people said. A spokesperson for Astra said the company “does not comment on ...