The China Securities Regulatory Commission issued an announcement allowing qualified foreign investors to participate in on-exchange exchange-traded fund (ETF) options trading from 9 October 2025, with trading limited to hedging purposes. The change was coordinated with the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and is set out in an announcement on Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) and RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) participating in stock options trading. It follows earlier 2025 relaxations that expanded qualified foreign investors’ access to onshore commodity futures, commodity options and ETF options, with the stated aim of widening the investable universe and enabling offshore institutions, particularly allocation-focused investors, to use onshore risk management tools. The regulator signalled that additional measures to further optimise the qualified foreign investor regime will follow as part of its wider capital market opening agenda.
China Securities Regulatory Commission 2025-06-18
China Securities Regulatory Commission allows qualified foreign investors to trade on-exchange ETF options for hedging from 9 October 2025
Qualified foreign investors can trade on-exchange ETF options for hedging from 9 October 2025, per the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Coordinated with the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, this move aims to expand investment options and improve risk management for offshore institutions. Further optimization of the foreign investor regime is expected as part of the capital market opening agenda.