How LSEG TORA eases China market entry

June 27, 2025

As China’s markets remain volatile amid shifting global trade dynamics and regulatory pressures, LSEG TORA is helping investors navigate the complexity through its advanced Stock Connect trading capabilities.

Hong Kong, acting as a financial bridge to the mainland, plays a critical role in connecting foreign investors to Chinese equities, even as tensions such as US-China tariffs continue to shape market sentiment.

TORA, part of the London Stock Exchange Group, provides seamless access to China’s equity markets through Stock Connect, a system that bypasses traditional capital controls. The platform offers investors a unified infrastructure integrating market data, execution tools, risk management, and compliance support, all tailored to China’s distinct regulatory landscape.

Designed to be robust and scalable, TORA ensures operational resilience in cross-border trading. With Chinese markets subject to rapid policy shifts and periods of heightened volatility, TORA’s infrastructure allows firms to maintain performance and compliance at scale. This includes real-time processing and the flexibility to adapt to new rules, LSEG explained.

China continues to offer growth potential in sectors like electric vehicles, but a complex mix of domestic regulatory change and international pressures makes long-term forecasting difficult. Investors must therefore be cautious and strategic, weighing opportunities against the risks.

Since its launch in 2014, Stock Connect has enabled foreign investment firms to access mainland Chinese stocks without requiring an onshore account. By connecting Hong Kong Exchange with the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, the system offers a northbound route into China and a southbound route for Chinese firms to access international markets. Compared to the quota-based QFII and RQFII systems, Stock Connect removes licensing barriers and provides a more accessible route for trading A-shares.

Still, regulatory challenges remain. Firms must navigate daily trading quotas, foreign ownership limits, and other market-specific restrictions. A capable order and execution management system (O/EMS) is essential for automating compliance checks, routing orders, and ensuring seamless broker connectivity.

TORA addresses these challenges through an integrated platform that offers pre-trade checks, foreign ownership tracking, and real-time compliance aligned with China’s legal environment. Key features include eLocate, which gives access to multiple borrowing pools for stock borrowing and lending—vital for shorting in China. TORA also supports broker-neutral Pairs Trading strategies, enhancing flexibility.

In a turbulent investment landscape, TORA equips global firms with the infrastructure to approach China’s markets with confidence. Its regulatory alignment, efficiency, and adaptability offer a critical edge to those seeking to navigate risk and pursue growth across borders.

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