In response to media enquiries about the decision of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China (SAFE) today (Monday) that allows individual investors in the Tianjin Binhai New Area (the pilot area) to invest directly in Hong Kong’s securities market, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) issued the following statement:

HKEx welcomes the SAFE’s decision that allows individual investors in the pilot area to invest directly in Hong Kong’s securities market.

Hong Kong is an open and free market where securities trading is fair and orderly. HKEx welcomes investors from all over the world as long as they comply with the rules of their place of residence for overseas trading before investing in Hong Kong.

HKEx believes the quality investment instruments in its market are attractive to Mainland investors, whose investments in the Hong Kong market will help narrow the price gap between the Hong Kong-listed H shares and the Mainland-listed A shares, and will help foster the healthy development of both the Hong Kong and Mainland markets.