HKEx to trade as usual during signal No. 8 and Black Rainstorm from Sept 23, John Lee announces

HKEx will implement a new arrangement starting from September 23 this year, whereby the securities market will not stop trading and will remain in operation during inclement weather, and investors will be able to continue to trade during signal No. 8 or above, or during black rainstorms, Chief Executive John Lee said today (June 11) at a press conference.

Lee said that in August last year, the SAR Government set up the Task Force on Enhancing Stock Market Liquidity to strengthen the competitiveness of the HKEx, which put forward a number of short-, medium- and long-term proposals.

"The non-stop operation of the HKEx during inclement weather is a follow-up to the implementation of one of the short-term recommendations," he noted, "Under the new arrangement, investors will be able to trade Hong Kong stocks and derivatives as usual during signal No. 8 and above issued in Hong Kong, or even during black rainstorm warnings, as well as trading of Mainland A-shares through the Shanghai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect."

Lee pointed out that major stock markets around the world, including Shenzhen and Shanghai, are now maintaining trading under the inclement weather.

"As an international financial center, there is no reason why Hong Kong should not follow suit... The vast majority of transactions are electronic, and there is no reason why Hong Kong cannot do the same when other markets can."

Lee added that later today, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, will hold a press conference with HKEx and the regulators to explain the details.