Today (November 26, 2025) the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) celebrates its 35th anniversary! 🎉 Launched in 1990 as the first securities exchange approved in the Chinese mainland, the SSE has become a bedrock of the Chinese mainland's capital market.
Back then, the trade floor listed just 30 securities. Fast-forward 35 years, and the SSE now hosts over 2,300 listed companies with a combined market cap topping CN¥60 trillion (about $8.5 trillion). From equities and bonds to ETFs, REITs and the STAR Market ✨, the SSE’s offering spans a diverse range of financial products.
A big leap came in 2014 with the launch of the Shanghai–Hong Kong Stock Connect, opening the door for overseas investors to tap A-shares via Hong Kong. This move also boosted the inclusion of A-shares in global benchmarks by MSCI, FTSE Russell and S&P Dow Jones. 🌏
In 2019, the SSE rolled out the STAR Market, a registration-based IPO system designed to fuel high-tech and strategic emerging industries—from semiconductors and AI to biomedicine and advanced manufacturing. Soon after, the Shanghai–London Stock Connect kicked off, letting companies in the Chinese mainland and the UK list depository receipts across borders.
Today, the SSE stands as one of the world’s major exchanges. As it steps into its 36th year, the question is: What's next? With continued innovation and international collaboration, the SSE’s journey is far from over. Stay tuned! 👀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
