The Chinese national flag (2nd right) flies alongside the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (right) outside the Exchange Square complex, which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in Hong Kong, China, on May 29, 2020. (PHOTO/BLOOMBERG)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) on Friday announced the inclusion of eligible A-shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's (SSE) Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market) into Stock Connect, effective from Feb 1.

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Given the STAR Market's special investor eligibility requirements, STAR Market-listed shares will only be accessible via northbound Stock Connect trading by institutional professional investors, according to the HKEX

As previously agreed by the HKEX, SSE and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), STAR Market-listed shares that are constituent stocks of the SSE 180 Index and SSE 380 Index, or have corresponding H-shares listed in Hong Kong for A+H companies, will be eligible for northbound trading under Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect following the existing inclusion arrangements. Their corresponding H-shares will be included in the southbound trading of Stock Connect when the northbound arrangements take effect.

Given the STAR Market's special investor eligibility requirements, STAR Market-listed shares will only be accessible via northbound Stock Connect trading by institutional professional investors, as defined under the Rules of the Exchange.

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Separately, the HKEX is pleased to note that, for A+H companies with A-shares listed on SZSE, their corresponding H-shares will also be tradable through southbound trading of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect starting Feb 1.

The three exchanges will continue to work closely to further enhance the Stock Connect program to benefit the mainland, Hong Kong, and international investors.