China widens access to mainland shares

The China Securities and Regulatory Commission plans to allow residents of Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan to access A-shares in mainland China, in a bid to revive the sluggish stock market, South China Morning Post reported. The regulator will expand the definition of resident under existing rules to include those from the three regions residing on the mainland, making them qualified A-share investors, a CSRC media representative said Tuesday. The plans have been approved and the rule will come into effect in due course, although further details on timing were not provided. The move will enable almost 500,000 additional people to purchase A-shares.