HKEx marks first anniversary of Stock Connect

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) hosted a reception on 17 November (Tuesday) to mark the first anniversary of the launch of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect (Stock Connect), its landmark stock trading programme with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

HKEx welcomed about 500 guests, including the guest of honour, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, Carlson Tong and Ashley Alder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission, also attended the event, with Tong delivering brief remarks.  The programme also included a video from the Shanghai Stock Exchange with greetings from its Chairman Gui Minjie and President Huang Hongyuan.

Commenting on Stock Connect's first year, HKEx Chairman C K Chow said, "With the joint efforts of the two sides, Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect has operated smoothly and safely over the past year despite a very volatile market environment at times, and has proved to be a reliable and important part of our market's infrastructure.

"The introduction of SPSA (Special Segregated) accounts and other enhancements has made the programme increasingly popular among Mainland and overseas investors," Chow added.  "It has not only brought new capital flow to the two markets but also been a new chapter in the internationalisation of China's capital market."

HKEx Chief Executive Charles Li said, "As a significant breakthrough for investment into and out of China, Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect offers a 'Mutual Market' jointly operated by two exchanges and jointly overseen by two regulators.  The programme's closed-loop design and solid risk management have helped pave the way for the complete opening of China's capital market at the minimum cost."

Li also noted, "China has entered a new era of global asset allocation with the ongoing opening of its capital market and the internationalisation of the renminbi (RMB).  We are preparing for Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and will continue to enhance Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect with our Mainland partners to provide more choices for investors.  We hope the success of our 'Mutual Market' contributes to the further development of China's capital market, the RMB's role around the world and Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre."

The reception also included the presentation of four sets of awards in recognition of Participants' involvement in Stock Connect, and three awards for investor education via websites to encourage intermediaries to continue their investor education efforts. Please refer to attachment for list of award recipients.

HKEx Chairman C K Chow (centre) is joined by Professor K C Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (fourth from left), Securities and Futures Commission Chairman Carlson Tong (fourth from right), Securities and Futures Commission Chief Executive Officer Ashley Alder (third from left), Zhang Bin, Chief Representative, Shanghai Stock Exchange Hong Kong Representative Office (third from right), HKEx Chief Executive Charles Li (second from left), Yao Meng, Managing Director & General Manager, China Securities Depositary and Clearing (Hong Kong) (second from right), HKEx Director Anita Fung (left) and HKEx Director Vincent Lee (right) in a toast during HKEx's reception to mark the first anniversary of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect. 

Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect 1^st Anniversary Trading and Investor Education Website Awards

Award recipients (in alphabetical order)

Ends