The new Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect will go live on 5 December.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) confirmed the news after the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission gave their backing to the market access project.
HKEX has completed three rounds of connectivity testing and market rehearsals to ascertain technical readiness of the market infrastructure and operational readiness of market participants.
The introduction of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect follows the success of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, which launched at the end of 2014.
Some 142 China connect exchange participants (CCEPs) are expected to be eligible to participate in the two Stock Connect programmes from 5 December, while other exchange participants can also apply to become CCEPs later upon satisfaction of relevant requirements.
“I want to thank everyone for their support to ensure a smooth launch of Shenzhen Connect,” said HKEX chief executive Charles Li.
“We're ready for another milestone in our mutual market access initiative. Shenzhen Connect will open up another mainland market for international investors, give investors on both sides of the boundary more choices and enhance access to the mainland’s stock market through our market and to our market through the mainland market.”
