The Beijing Stock Exchange has supported the innovation and development of small- and medium-sized businesses since its inception a year ago and has begun to introduce reforms to boost liquidity.

Launched on November 15 last year, the Beijing Stock Exchange has attracted 123 listed companies so far and has raised 26.8 billion yuan ($3.8 billion).

The majority of its listed firms are involved in high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, software, hardware technologies and new materials. Among them are 49 "little giants," referring to small enterprises specializing in niche markets with cutting-edge technologies and great potential.

Its listed firms' combined operating revenue totaled 73.21 billion yuan in the first three quarters of this year, up 33.25 percent year on year.

Data from the bourse showed that over 5.2 million investors had opened accounts by November 14, including social security funds, insurance funds, and eligible overseas institutional investors.

Reforms to boost liquidity

Although the Beijing Stock Exchange has made rapid progress over the past year, it lags behind the well-established Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses in terms of company valuations and liquidity.

Only 14 companies have a market value that exceeds 2 billion yuan on the Beijing Stock Exchange and the average daily turnover rate falls behind the A-shares market level.

The bourse is forging reforms to tackle these challenges. It unveiled rules for margin trading and securities lending last week to improve the pricing function of the market and boost market liquidity. It is due to launch its first benchmark index on November 21 in hopes of attracting incremental funds.

(With input from Xinhua)