This paper examines the use of fair value accounting for investment properties by 96
randomly selected Chinese listed companies' year-ending 2008 annual reports. Half the
sampled companies use fair value while half use historical cost, both methods being
allowable under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Chinese Accounting
Standards (CAS). This represents the lowest possible level of comparability (or harmony)
when there are only two choices of method. A combination of T indices to summarise the
level of comparability and logistic regression reveals that companies with an international
influence (listed on international stock exchanges and/or with international operations) are
more likely to use fair value. Furthermore, there is evidence that companies with above
average volatility in eamings are more likely to use fair value than historical cost. The
consequences for domestic and international harmony for regulators and investors is
discussed in the context of the opening of Chinese markets to international investment.