On October 13, the Economic and Financial Commission of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Municipal Committee (CPPCC Shanghai Committee) visited China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) to learn about the latest developments in the financial futures market. 

Mr. Shou Ziqi, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, noted that it is important to fully understand the role of the financial futures market in building Shanghai international financial center and the progress CFFEX has registered over the past decade. CFFEX should continue expanding financial futures and options offerings to help Shanghai build a more internationally competitive financial market and product suite, and to better serve the development endeavors of Shanghai international financial center. It is equally imperative to support banks, insurance companies and other institutional investors to access the financial futures market, in a bid to foster a sound ecosystem featuring improved institutional participation, and at the same time, step up its efforts in the opening-up of the financial futures market to enhance its appeal to global capital, thus making tangible contributions to China's real economy.

Mr. He Qingwen, Secretary of the CPC CFFEX Committee and CFFEX Chairman, introduced the development of the financial futures market in recent years, especially highlighting efforts made by CFFEX since the beginning of this year in maintaining operational safety, combating the pandemic, implementing rectification following inspection by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and promoting high-quality development. Mr. He expressed sincere gratitude to Shanghai's strong support, without which CFFEX's achievements would not have been possible. Next, CFFEX will continue its growth endeavors with a keen focus on stability and safety, so as to better serve the capital market and Shanghai international financial center.

During the meeting, members of the Economic and Financial Commission also offered insights and suggestions on highly relevant topics such as foreign exchange futures development, financial futures market cultivation, legal services and technology empowerment in the financial market, access route for insurance funds, the Futures Law and further expansion of futures product offerings, among others.

— Synergizing with Research Institutes for a Better Market Environment

China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai National Accounting Institute (SNAI) on September 29, 2022, with a view to establishing a regular mechanism of collaboration with institutions of higher learning, better supporting the market ecosystem through improved research, and promoting the high-quality development of the financial futures market. Zhang Feng, Secretary of the CPC SNAI Committee and Zhang Gexing, member of the CPC SNAI Committee and Vice President of SNAI, attended the signing ceremony. He Qingwen, Secretary of the CPC CFFEX Committee and CFFEX Chairman, spoke at the event. Ye Chunhe, Deputy Secretary of the CPC CFFEX Committee and Chairman of the CFFEX Supervisory Board, presided over the ceremony.

He Qingwen noted that essential to the innovation of financial futures as a professional risk management tool are an inclusive, friendly market ecosystem and the full support of experts from all walks of life. In its Strategic Plan 2022-2024, CFFEX has made “Ecosystem Enhancement” one of the five development strategies, reflecting the Exchange’s further attention to ecosystem development. Past successes have shown that institutions of higher learning can play an important and unique role in enhancing the financial futures ecosystem. In recent years, CFFEX has been keen to work with the academia to pool resources from inside and outside the industry and promote greater integration between the industry, the academia, and research institutes. The strategic cooperation agreement with SNAI is conducive to deepening collaboration between the two organizations that will capitalize on their respective strengths and encourage resource sharing for the benefit of both.

Zhang Feng said SNAI has been working to deliver a specialized, digital, application-oriented, and international curriculum to its students. Notable achievements in executive training, degree education, think tank building, and international exchange underscore SNAI’s uniqueness and differentiated offerings. Zhang Feng talked highly of CFFEX's active and important contributions to the real economy, the multi-layered capital market, a more efficient financial market and greater social and economic prosperity. This cooperation would create stronger synergy between the two organizations, promoting the better development of both and boosting the high-quality development of China’s economy.

Following the speeches, Ye Chunhe and Zhang Gexing signed the strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of CFFEX and SNAI, with He Qingwen and Zhang Feng witnessing the event.

The signing of the agreement unveils a new chapter of cooperation between CFFEX and SNAI, who will further collaborate on scholarly research, think tank building, and talent training, ensure the key tasks in the agreement are fully carried out, and bring better research to the financial futures domain. CFFEX and SNAI will also promote greater public awareness of financial futures, and expand the influence of investor education programs, thus improving the market ecosystem to build a more robust financial futures market.