In another move to internationalize Chinese markets, plans are underway for a Shanghai-Frankfurt stock link driven in part for Europe’s «unabated eagerness» for collaboration with the second-largest economy.

The China Europe International Exchange (CEINEX) is currently preparing for a stock connect program, according to state media, which reflects European countries’ «unabated eagerness» for Chinese collaboration in areas such as finance. 

CEINEX did not disclose the exact data of the Shanghai-Frankfurt stock link launch but state media highlighted that it could be rolled out in the next one or two years.

Closer Ties

The program is expected to allow Germany-based blue chips to issue Chinese depositary receipts on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and for mainland-based firms, especially manufacturs, to issue global depository receipts on exchanges in Frankfurt.

Listings aside, onlookers believe there are synergies to be realized by Germany due to its significant base of industrial powerhouses such as Mercedes Benz or BMW which could benefit from cooperation with China which has withstood the downward economic cycle in sectors such as automobile.

In addition to opening up markets, stock link is expected to be the first in a series of moves to boost financial cooperation between China and Europe.