CSRC approves first 18 actively managed ETFs in China
In short
China Securities Regulatory Commission chairman Wu Qing said on 19 October that the commission would approve registration of the first 18 active ETFs that day. Outlets then reported the batch as approved, with nine products each to list on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. Caixin cited fund industry sources saying fundraising could start as early as 23 October.
Read the full story 2 min read
China Securities Regulatory Commission chairman Wu Qing said at the opening of the 2026 Financial Street Forum annual conference on 19 October that the commission would approve registration of the first 18 active ETFs that day. Xinhua, as carried by China News Service, quoted him calling it an important measure to promote fund product innovation that would bring more incremental funds into the market. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 13 ]
Outlets then reported the batch as approved. CLS said the products came after a three-month approval process, and Jiemian said the first 18 products submitted had received their approval documents. Nine of the products will list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and nine on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. CLS said the batch is mainly stable strategies, with 9 balanced, 4 value, 3 dividend, 1 quality and 1 large-cap growth product. [ 7 , 13 , 22 ]
The Shanghai Stock Exchange said active ETFs combine active management research with the standardised operation of ETFs and have transparent holdings and convenient trading. It said the products focus on low-turnover, highly diversified and relatively stable strategies, including large-cap balanced, large-cap growth and dividend value. It said that at the end of September 943 ETFs were listed there with a total size of 3.35 trillion yuan, and that long-term funds held nearly 1.7 trillion yuan, more than half. [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 21 ]
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange said its first nine active ETFs were approved, calling it an innovation breakthrough for the domestic ETF market and an important measure to draw in long-term funds. It said the products focus on balanced, value and dividend strategies and that it would now work on their issuance and listing. [ 16 , 19 , 20 ]
Jiemian said Wu announced support for active ETFs at the Lujiazui Forum on 17 June, and that the Shanghai exchange issued business guidelines for them the same day. Jiemian also reported that the final names of several products differ from those submitted earlier. Caixin cited fund industry sources saying fundraising could begin as early as 23 October, while Yicai and Jiemian said it would start soon. [ 8 , 9 , 13 , 18 , 22 ]
Why it matters
Wu described the approvals as a step in fund product innovation that would bring more incremental funds into the market. The exchanges and outlets framed the products as a way to draw in long-term funds and to widen the choice of ETFs for investors.
Key facts
- Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said at the opening of the 2026 Financial Street Forum annual conference on 19 October that the commission would approve the first 18 active ETFs that day. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 13 ]
- Wu called the move an important measure to promote fund product innovation that would bring more incremental funds into the market. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Nine of the 18 products will list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and nine on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. [ 7 , 13 , 22 ]
- By strategy, the batch has 9 balanced, 4 value, 3 dividend, 1 quality and 1 large-cap growth product, CLS reported. [ 7 ]
- Caixin cited fund industry sources saying fundraising could start as early as 23 October. [ 22 ]
- Yicai and Jiemian reported that the products were entering the issuance preparation stage and that fundraising would start soon. [ 8 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The CSRC chairman announced on 19 October that the first 18 active ETFs would be approved for registration. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The first batch of 18 active ETFs was approved on 19 October, split nine and nine between the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. [ 7 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 22 ]
- The Shanghai Stock Exchange said its first active ETFs received the CSRC's approval on 19 October, with low-turnover, diversified and relatively stable strategies. [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 21 ]
- The Shenzhen Stock Exchange said its first nine active ETFs received the CSRC's approval, focused on balanced, value and dividend strategies. [ 16 , 19 , 20 ]
Still unclear
- When fundraising starts. Only Caixin gives a date (as early as 23 October, per industry sources); Yicai and Jiemian say only that it will start soon.
- How much new money the products will bring in. Wu said they would bring more incremental funds, but no document gives a figure or estimate.
- Whether the batch was approved on 19 October or earlier. Wu said the commission would approve the products that day, and several outlets say they were approved on 19 October, while Jiemian (via Yicai) says they were approved recently.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS and Yicai report Wu Qing's remarks that the CSRC will approve the first 18 active ETFs that day. [ 1 , 2 ]
- CLS reports that the first 18 active ETFs have been approved, after a three-month approval process. [ 7 ]
- Yicai reports the products are approved and fundraising will start soon. [ 8 ]
- CLS carries the Shanghai Stock Exchange's statement on its first active ETFs. [ 15 ]
- CLS carries the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's statement that its first nine active ETFs were approved. [ 19 ]
- Caixin reports that fundraising could start as early as 23 October. [ 22 ]