For China’s domestic A-share market, higher participation from foreign investors, especially institutional investors, is a positive development as it can provide greater breadth in the near term and, longer term, can help drive the push for better corporate governance, a better regulatory framework and stricter enforcement.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2015 is the Year of the Goat (or sheep), creatures that are typically peaceful in nature but can also be stubborn, while exhibiting herd-like behavior. I’ve invited my colleague Eddie Chow, senior executive vice president and managing director, Templeton Emerging Markets Group, to share his perspective on some key themes our team is watching in 2015 for China, and whether we think market bulls, bears or goats can be friends this year.

Following a flood of initial public offerings (IPOs) that lasted several years, Chinas local A-share market has been in an IPO drought since late last year. There is some speculation Chinas regulatory body, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), may allow some IPOs to trickle back into the market this year, but we dont yet know exactly when or at what volume. Ive invited my colleague Eddie Chow to share his perspective on why IPO issuance has been halted in Chinas local market, and where we see potential opportunities in the current environment.