The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission issued a joint announcement on the 11th, announcing a consensus on promoting the integration of block trading (non automatic matching trading) into the interconnection mechanism. The Hong Kong SAR government welcomes the relevant decision. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, stated that the SAR government has been committed to deepening and expanding the connectivity between the mainland and Hong Kong financial markets in accordance with the national "14th Five Year Plan". Following the expansion of the scope of eligible stocks on the Shanghai Shenzhen Hong Kong Stock Connect in the past year to exchange traded funds, foreign companies mainly listed in Hong Kong, and more stocks of companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, the interconnection mechanism between the two regions has once again achieved breakthroughs, enriched existing trading methods, and improved trading efficiency. The relevant measures will further promote the connectivity and coordinated development of the two capital markets, strengthen the position and functions of Hong Kong as an international financial center and a global offshore RMB business hub. The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Maobo, stated that introducing block trading arrangements is an important measure to deepen the interaction and integration between the mainland and Hong Kong capital markets. It can enhance the certainty and transparency of the transaction prices and timing of large share transactions, allowing investors to more effectively manage their asset allocation, reduce transaction costs, and also reduce the price impact that related transactions may have on the automatic matching market. The relevant measures are in line with the increasing demand from investors in both regions for cross-border bulk transactions, which is beneficial for further enhancing cross-border market liquidity. He sincerely appreciates the support of the central government for this measure and will continue to closely contact relevant ministries and institutions to implement relevant arrangements as soon as possible. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange also welcomed the relevant measures on the same day. Yao Jiaren, Joint Operations Director and Head of Equity Securities at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, stated that opening bulk trading is the latest major optimization measure for interconnectivity business, which can provide certainty in transaction prices and execution for large-scale transactions under interconnectivity, and improve trading efficiency. This optimization will further promote the development of interconnectivity and provide investors in both regions with more trading options and liquidity. According to the joint announcement, under the mechanism, foreign investors will be able to participate in block trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange through the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Connect, while domestic investors will be able to participate in non automatic matching trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited through the Hong Kong Stock Connect. Next, the two exchanges will study relevant business, technical, and regulatory arrangements, solicit market opinions, and formulate implementation plans. The implementation details and official launch date will be announced separately. (New News Agency)