QFIIs top 1,000 as China deepens market opening

The number of qualified foreign institutional investors in China has surpassed 1,000 as the country deepens capital market opening amid growing foreign interest in Chinese financial assets, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission's latest published list.

Speaking at the opening of the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2026 on Monday in Beijing, CSRC Chairman Wu Qing said the regulator will facilitate investment operations under the QFII program and support domestic and overseas institutions in jointly developing more indices and products based on Chinese financial assets.

The moves will build on a reform plan unveiled during last year's forum to better meet foreign investors' needs and enhance the QFII scheme's appeal.

Over the past year, measures such as streamlined qualification approval and account opening, alongside a fast-track channel for allocation-oriented funds, have been put into place. Investment access under QFII has expanded to exchange-traded fund options, bond repurchase transactions and treasury bond futures, bringing eligible futures and options products to 141.

With these improvements well received, 86 institutions received QFII approval in the first nine months of 2026, up 62 percent year-on-year, reflecting strong application demand. As of Oct 15, the number of QFIIs has reached 1,018.

Wu also highlighted listed companies' improving investment value. Domestically listed companies generated first-half revenue of 37.7 trillion yuan ($5.64 trillion) and net profit of 3.6 trillion yuan, which was up 19.5 percent year-on-year.

Dividends and share buybacks totaled 2.1 trillion yuan so far this year, 2.7 times funds raised through IPOs and refinancing over the same period, he said.