Hong Kong-based securities and investment professionals can fast-track their
license to practice in the Chinese Mainland financial markets, by taking
an exam in May.

As part of the implementation of the Closer
Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and China, China’s
Securities Association has announced the ninth People's Republic of China Securities
Regulations Examination.

Applicants must be permanent residents, holding
or having held within the past three years a relevant license issued by Hong
Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission.

Investment advisors can now apply for the
exam on the laws and regulations of the Mainland, to be sat on 19 May. Upon
completion, they are eligible to apply for the corresponding industry
qualification from the SAC, subject to any other requirements of the Mainland.

Upon satisfying all other
requirements of the Mainland, they will be exempted from taking any technical examinations, and they will also be able to apply for the
corresponding practising qualification in the Mainland.

The Hong Kong Securities Institute has been appointed by China’s securities
watchdog as the sole agent to handle the enrolment and administration of the
examination for Hong Kong professionals. The first examination was held in
Shenzhen in 2004.

Enrolments will be coordinated by the HKSI
and will commence from 28 March 2012 to 2 May 2012. The relevant enrolment
forms and details about the examination are available from the HKSI counter and
website: www.hksi.org/prc_exam