Stock index futures to be launched today

The launching ceremony of the stock index futures will held in Shanghai this afternoon. Trading on the CSI 300 index is set to begin April 16th. The long-awaited milestone in the development of China's capital markets is expected to lay the groundwork for more innovations.

The launching ceremony of the stock index futures will held in  Shanghai this afternoon.

Futures contracts are to be based on the CSI 300 index of Shanghai- and Shenzhen-listed shares. The contracts for 2010 May delivery, June delivery, September delivery and December delivery will be traded.

Investors are allowed to buy or sell the index at the present value on a future date. The risks are high, and the regulator has imposed high requirements for both contracts and investors.

Qi Dafeng, manager of Galaxy Futures, said, "Investors in stock index futures should have a certain level of capital and commodity future trading experience or simulation experience. They should also have sufficient knowledge of futures."