The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) released an announcement on 20 August 2007 allowing mainland individuals through BOCI Securities Limited and BOC Tianjin Binhai New Area Branch to invest in securities traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with self-owned or purchased foreign currency.

Launching of the pilot program will widen the channel, through which Chinese individuals are able to invest in overseas stock markets. This pilot program will give a guide to capital flow, balance the international payments statements and accelerate the development of the capital markets in Mainland China and Hong Kong.