CHINA has approved regulation amendments, allowing qualified individual foreign investors to open securities accounts to trade A shares next month.

The updated regulation, which takes effect Sept. 15, will allow foreign individuals working on the Chinese mainland to open A-share trading accounts, a move to further open up the securities market, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

The move will expand the investor base, introduce more liquidity and improve the structure of the securities market, the CSRC said on its website.

Eligible foreign investors must come from countries or regions that have established regulatory cooperation mechanisms with the CSRC, according to a separate statement issued by China Securities Depository and Clearing Corp. (CSDC).

Starting from Sept. 15, qualified foreigners can apply for A-share securities accounts by submitting application materials, including an application form for starting security accounts, their passport and a passport copy, and proof of employment issued by a domestic institution.

The CSRC also expanded the equity incentive objects of foreigners working at companies listed on the A-share market from those working on the mainland to all foreign employees.

In April 2013, the A-share market was opened to residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who work or live on the mainland. By the end of July, 125,000 qualified residents from these regions had opened A-share securities accounts, according to data from CSDC. (Xinhua)