The China-Switzerland Stock Connect?was officially launched on Thursday, beginning a new chapter in capital market cooperation between the two countries.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has said the connect is of?great significance in broadening the channels of cross-border financing and investment, and for deepening Sino-Swiss cooperation in the financial sector.

Fang Xinghai, vice-chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and Daniela Stoffel, state secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, jointly announced the official launch of the connect, via video link.

Meanwhile, four companies listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai exchanges issued the first batch of global depository receipts on the SIX Swiss Exchange.