Hong Kong Unveils Investor ID Plan for China Trading Link

System will see brokers assign a unique number to each client
Information will be shared with Chinese exchanges, regulator

Signage for Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. (HKEx) is displayed at the Exchange Square complex in Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. HKEx, Asia's largest bourse operator by market value, said second-quarter profit was HK$1.78 billion ($230 million), a 14 percent increase from HK$1.55 billion a year earlier.Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Benjamin Robertson

November 30, 2017 at 8:43 AM UTC

Updated on

November 30, 2017 at 10:17 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

International investors who trade Chinese stocks using the Hong Kong exchange link will be monitored in real-time by regulators in both jurisdictions under a plan unveiled Thursday.

Authorities will be able to see a unique identifier for each investor or firm that uses the northbound connect, the trading link between the former British colony and the world’s second-biggest stock market. Under current rules, only the broker sending the order is visible to Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission.