China’s futures and derivatives markets continue to expand their global footprint, with a growing list of internationalised futures and options contracts now accessible to overseas market participants. These products play a critical role in connecting global capital with China’s onshore price discovery, offering diversification, hedging, and arbitrage opportunities across various key sectors such as commodities and industrial materials.
As of early 2026, China has further broadened its internationalised product suite, with newly announced contracts proposed for internationalisation (shown in gold in the table below showing the latest exchange listings). This article provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of China’s internationalised products across major exchanges, covering both existing and newly proposed contracts.
What Are China’s Internationalised Products?
Internationalised products are futures and options contracts listed on China’s domestic exchanges but open to overseas participants / institutions, typically through:
- Internationalised contract frameworks, or
- The Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI)* scheme
*Learn more about the QFI Scheme here.
These products are designed to align more closely with global trading standards, including:
- Offshore participant eligibility
- Foreign currency settlement mechanisms (where applicable)
- Delivery and warehousing models suitable for cross-border trading
China’s Internationalised Products (Futures & Options)
| Exchange | Futures | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) | No. 1 Soybean | No.1 Soybean Options |
| No. 2 Soybean | No. 2 Soybean Options | |
| Soybean Meal | Soybean Meal Options | |
| Soybean Oil | Soybean Oil Options | |
| RBD Palm Olein | RBD Palm Olein Options | |
| Iron Ore | - | |
| Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) | PTA | PTA Options |
| Rapeseed Oil | Rapeseed Oil Options | |
| Rapeseed Meal | Rapeseed Meal Options | |
| Peanut Kernel | Peanut Kernel Options | |
| Para-Xylene | Para-Xylene Options | |
| Bottle Grade PET Resin | Bottle Grade PET Resin Options | |
| Polyester Staple Fiber | Polyester Staple Fiber Options | |
| Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) | Crude Oil | Crude Oil Options |
| TSR 20 | TSR 20 Options | |
| Low Sulfur Fuel Oil | Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Options | |
| Bonded Copper | Bonded Copper Options | |
| SCFIS (Europe Service) | - | |
| Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) | Nickel | Nickel Options |
| Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) | Lithium Carbonate | Lithium Carbonate Options |
Note: The newly proposed internationalised futures and options are highlighted in Gold
Why Internationalised Products Matter for Global Market Participants
China’s internationalised futures and options provide several strategic advantages:
- Direct exposure to onshore price discovery, often distinct from offshore benchmarks
- Access to domestic liquidity pools, particularly in commodities where China is the world’s largest consumer
- Enhanced hedging efficiency for physical supply chains connected to China
- Opportunities for cross-market arbitrage
- Participation in emerging price benchmarks, especially in energy transition materials
The addition of newly proposed internationalised products further signals China’s long-term commitment to opening its derivatives markets in a structured and risk-managed manner.
Looking Ahead
As China continues to internationalise more contracts, particularly in chemicals, energy transition materials, and industrial inputs, global institutions are increasingly viewing China’s futures markets as core components of multi-asset and commodity strategies, rather than supplementary exposures.
For market participants seeking broader access, understanding which products are already internationalised and which are newly proposed is essential for forward-looking portfolio construction and risk management.
Explore China’s Internationalised Markets
Access to China’s internationalised futures and options requires the right market connectivity, regulatory structure, and execution infrastructure. Work with a licenced overseas intermediary that supports both internationalised contracts and QFI access, enabling participation across futures and options as China’s markets continue to evolve.
Explore the different pathways to access China’s markets. Contact us to discuss access to internationalised futures and options with our team.
Start Trading with Orient Futures Singapore
Being an Overseas Intermediary of Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE), Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), and Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE), when foreign clients participate in internationalised futures contracts in these Chinese markets with us, they have direct access to trading, clearing, and settlement. Our parent company, Shanghai Orient Futures, is the largest broker by aggregated trading volume across China’s two regulated exchanges.
Orient Futures Singapore also currently holds memberships at the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Asia Pacific Exchange (APEX), and ICE Futures Singapore (ICE SG). Starting August 2023, corporate clients can also gain access to the B3 Exchange through us, opening additional trading avenues.
Expect streamlined processes and an easy-to-use interface designed for minimal latency, accompanied by our team’s round-the-clock availability on trading days to provide assistance for all your trading needs.
