CSRC Accelerates RMB Stock Trading Counters and REITs Inclusion in Stock Connect
nashnova research
CSRC Chairman Wu Qing pledged at the 2026 Financial Street Forum to fast-track adding Hong Kong's RMB trading counter and REITs to Stock Connect, while unveiling four new measures including a fund-monitoring center and AI compliance guidelines — signaling an acceleration of mainland-Hong Kong capital-market integration.
What exactly is being fast-tracked?
Two items move to the front of the queue: the RMB stock trading counter joining Stock Connect, and REITs — funds that package infrastructure assets into tradeable units — joining Stock Connect.
The RMB counter launched in Hong Kong in 2023 but has seen persistently thin liquidity. This means → once it joins Stock Connect, mainland capital can buy Hong Kong stocks directly in renminbi, potentially fixing the liquidity gap.
REITs inclusion would let investors on each side trade the other market's listed infrastructure funds, widening the cross-border allocation channel.
Why does this statement carry more weight than usual?
Wu Qing made the pledge at the Financial Street Forum — the CSRC chairman speaking at a high-profile, on-the-record event, not a routine briefing.
In plain terms = regulators previously said "advance"; this time the phrasing is "accelerate," framed under a new "five synergies" cooperation model. The implementation timeline may be brought forward.
This reflects a regulatory stance on opening up that is more aggressive than the market had priced in.
What do the four new measures cover?
A fund-industry monitoring center to handle private-fund unit registration, data collection for both public and private funds, and risk surveillance. In plain terms = regulators want a much clearer picture of private-fund exposures.
AI compliance guidelines for the securities and futures industry — drawing a safety line for artificial intelligence in financial trading.
Tighter rules on illegal share sales by major shareholders, with more granular criteria for what counts as a violation.
Advance-compensation guidelines that spell out who pays and how, so retail investors do not have to wait until litigation ends to receive money.
What changes for foreign institutions?
The CSRC will also make it easier for QFII holders — qualified foreign institutional investors, the main compliant channel for overseas capital into A-shares — to operate their investments.
Domestic and foreign firms are encouraged to co-develop more indexes and products based on Chinese assets, while foreign houses are invited to broaden product lines and join innovative businesses.
This means → the opening is not just about "letting money in" — it is about giving foreign capital more to buy, and making the buying easier.
市场有风险，内容仅供研究参考，不构成投资建议。