Foreign enterprises could enter the over-the-counter equity exchange system, or the so-called "third board", said China Securities Regulatory Commission on Thursday.

Qualified joint stock companies, including private and foreign enterprises, can apply to trade equities on the system, the CSRC said on its micro blog.

However, companies who have foreign shares should also submit documents issued by commercial authorities to confirm the status of these shares, said the CSRC.

The third board is an equity exchange system for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is China's third national equity exchange after Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The exchange was founded in 2012 and put into operation in January this year.