Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) held a workshop in Chongqing, one of the Mainland's four direct-controlled municipalities, today (Tuesday) with the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) to explain the trading of Hong Kong-listed stocks through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme to Mainland securities firms.

Ma Shuqing, Deputy Head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission's Chongqing Branch attended the workshop along with more than 200 participants from the Mainland’s brokerage industry.

Que Bo, Deputy General Manager of SSE, and Mao Zhirong, Co-head of HKEx's Mainland Division spoke at the event.  Mr Que highlighted the need for more investor education.

"Stock Connect has been operating smoothly and safely for almost a year.  Our investors gradually built more concrete knowledge of each other's market.  However there are many differences between two markets that investors are urged to get more familiar with, for example, corporate action and market rules.  Therefore, investor education will continue to be an essential component of our responsibilities and we hope that through our continuous effort, our investors can better protect themselves from market risks in today's ever changing environment'," said Mr Que.

Mr Mao emphasised the importance of market education for the long term growth of the Stock Connect programme.

"One of our top priorities is to help Mainland investors get familiar with the Hong Kong market and the protection it offers to investors," he said.  "We've been working closely with regulators, exchange staff and brokers to strengthen investor education and provide strong support to our market participants."  He added HKEx hosted and co-hosted about 70 investor education events over the past year and will continue their effort in that area.

Responses to a survey of 30 top Mainland brokerages conducted jointly by the two exchange operators earlier this year indicated that as more Mainland investors participate in the Southbound trading of the Stock Connect programme, they are more aware of their need to have a good understanding of the rules and regulations of the Hong Kong market.

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