Dear Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Hu Chunhua, Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee Secretary Ma Xingrui, Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin,

Honorable Leaders and Representatives from the State Council,

Dear SFC CEO Mr. Ashley Alder,

Friends, Colleagues and Ladies,

Good morning. Today we are gathered here to witness the launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program. At this historical moment marking the continued synergetic development of the Mainland and Hong Kong capital markets, on behalf of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), I would like to express my warm congratulations on the launch of the program and my heartfelt thanks to the relevant departments under the State Council, Guangdong Provincial Party Committee of the CPC, Guangdong Provincial Government, Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee and Shenzhen Municipal Government for their care and support given to the preparatory work on the program. The launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect on the basis of the success of pilot Shanghai-Hong Kong Connect is another major decision of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core to unswervingly promote the opening up of China’s financial industry and is also the solemn commitment of the government to the people of the whole country in the 2016 Report on the Work of the Government. Under the correct leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, China financial sector honors this commitment today.

The 26 years’ history of China’s capital market proves that only by unswervingly expanding opening up can we ensure the direction of market-oriented, rule-based and international development of China’s capital market and solidly improve China’s capital market’s ability to serve the real economy and enhance China’s capital market’s international competitiveness.

Shanghai-Hong Kong Connec has been operating successfully for two years. And Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect will start operation today. It embodies the great importance and kind care given by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core to the initiative to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center.

Amidst uncertainty and instability of global financial markets, the launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect will certainly inject positive energy, confidence and trust into international and domestic financial markets. Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect are like two flowing rivers where the capital, technologies, information, wisdoms and cultures of the Mainland, Hong Kong and global markets coverge and ultimately benefit the Mainland, Hong Kong and global economic development. Regulators from the two sides will further strengthen close cooperation, tighten supervision of the Mainland and Hong Kong markets, step up cross-market enforcement, crack down on cross-boundary illegal activities and market misconduct and earnestly protect the legitimate interests of the Mainland, Hong Kong and global investors.

At this point, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the exchanges and clearing houses in Shenzhen and Hong Kong and the institutions and colleagues that have participated in the preparatory work. You have made arduous and painstaking efforts for the smooth launch of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect. My special thanks go to all the leaders and guests who are here today to attend this launch ceremony. Your care and powerful support are indispensable for the reform and development of the capital market. Finally, I wish Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect a good start, a smooth sailing and every success.

Thank you.