The move was seen as a major step forward in China's economic stake in Hong Kong. It could also been seen as some assurance that the mainland would honor its commitment to the "one country, two systems" policy that was to govern the return of Hong Kong in 1997. With its large stake in Hong Kong's market, China would be less likely to dismantle the territory's economy. In turn, CITIC Pacific enhanced CITIC's credibility with the international financial community. Banks were reluctant to lend to the Chinese government; with CITIC Pacific, however, China had the opportunity to prove its integrity to investors. At the same time, investments in CITIC Pacific offered a more stable method of investing in the mainland. In January 1993, CITIC Pacific's position as the leading "red chip" (a term given to Hong Kong listed companies that were attractive investments because they were controlled by mainland parent companies, thereby giving investors entry into the mainland's political and economic arenas) enabled it to raise HK$7.2 billion. By then, however, CITIC Pacific had also turned "blue," after it was added to the territory's Hang Seng Index of blue chip stocks.