The Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) have partnered with Beijing’s Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) to launch their new Green Bond Index Series.

The International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF), which is part of the CUFE in Beijing, has partnered with the SZSE and the LuxSE to launch the CUFE-CNI Green Bond Index Series, the first Chinese Green Bond index to provide synchronous quotes between China and Europe.

The new index series, which will act as a market benchmark and investment tool for Chinese green bonds, was launched at an event held in Beijing on Monday 20 March 2017 attended by LuxSE chief executive Robert Scharfe and Dean of the IIGF Dr. Wang Yao.

Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Scharfe said: “Today’s decision to launch and display three new indices tracking China’s green bond market is part of a joint effort to help bridge the gap between Europe and China, the world’s two largest green bond markets.”

Dr. Wang Yao also commented on the partnership’s potential to attract foreign investment in China’s green financial system.

The new index family was jointly developed by Shenzhen Securities Information Co., Ltd. (SSIC) and IIGF, and consists of three indices: the CUFE CNI High Grade Green Bond Index, the CUFE CNI High Grade Unlabeled Green Bond Index and the CUFE CNI High Grade Labeled Green Bond Index.

Part of a cross-border cooperative programme between SZSE and LuxSE, the indices will be displayed on both LuxSE and SSIC’s official websites synchronously. Both parties have pledged to work closely to promote the listing of relevant green index fund products.

As the first cross-border synchronous display of a Chinese green bond index, the publication of this index will help improve the international influence of China’s green finance, attract foreign investors to participate in the construction of China’s green financial system and promote the development of green industry in China.