BEIJING - Chinese securities and futures investors must abide by new rules starting Saturday that aim to protect their interests.

Investors will be categorized as either professional or ordinary investors depending on their asset and income levels and professional experience, according to the new guidelines released by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) which take effect on July 1.

Professional investors include financial institutions and individuals with financial assets worth over 5 million yuan ($737,500) or annual incomes of over 500,000 yuan for the past three years. They must also have at least two years of professional experience in related sectors.

Ordinary investors have been advised to buy financial products in line with their risk tolerance and will receive reminders when buying higher risk products.

Securities and futures traders have been asked to sell the correct products and services to investors in line with their risk tolerance.

The new rules do not restrain investment freedom as investors can still buy higher risk products if they insist, according to Deng Ge, spokesperson for the CSRC. The new rules aim to encourage investors buy products within their risk tolerance, thus reducing unnecessary losses, Deng added.