The Monetary Authority and the People's Bank of China issued a joint announcement today that southbound trading under Bond Connect will be launched on September 24.

Monetary Authority Chief Executive Eddie Yue said at a press conference this afternoon that the initiative marks an important milestone in the two-way opening up of the Mainland financial markets, noting that it will promote the vibrant development of the Hong Kong bond market and further consolidate the city's status as an international financial centre.

“Southbound trading will enable Mainland financial institutions to increase their allocation to offshore bond assets through Hong Kong in a convenient and secure manner.

“At the same time, it will provide an incentive for international financial institutions to strengthen their presence in Hong Kong, in order for them to provide better underwriting, trading, custodian and related services to southbound investors.

“In the long run, the launch of southbound trading will attract more Mainland capital to invest in the Hong Kong bond market and broaden the local fixed income investor base.”

Mr Yue added that under the initiative, issuers will have a greater incentive to issue bonds in Hong Kong and that will further enrich the product offerings of the Hong Kong bond market.

Southbound trading under Bond Connect will provide Mainland institutional investors with a convenient and secure channel to invest in the Hong Kong bond market through the connection between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial infrastructure services institutions.