Stock Index Futures Debuts

(MA YAN)

China unveiled stock index futures at the China Financial Futures Exchange in Shanghai's Pudong District on April 9. China Securities Index 300, the first of its kind, was traded on April 16.

The launch of stock index futures is a milestone for China's stock market development. It gives investors a mechanism to profit from declines in stock prices, allows them to hedge risks and helps ease market fluctuations.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of China's stock markets. In the past two decades, China has built up a multi-level stock market system. China's stock market has also become one of the world's largest in terms of market value.