Monday marks the first day that Chinese companies can apply to list on the country's new board: the Science and Technology Innovation Board. How is it different from the country's other boards and what do experts and investors think about it? CGTN's Yang Chengxi has more.

With much fanfare, China's capital markets welcome the new Science and Technology Innovation Board. The nation has similar boards for early stage high-tech companies, but the newest one has a major feature: a registration system instead of approvals. Experts say that makes a big difference.

LU HUA, ASSISTANT DEAN FUDAN SHANGHAI INSTITUTE FOR FREE TRADE ZONE RESEARCH "Under the approval system, there were many requirements for listings geared towards traditional business models, for example a sustained period of profitability. However, many of today's high-tech firms invest a huge amount of R&D and marketing, meaning they will only gain profit at a later stage. This board is suited for their financing needs."

YANG CHENGXI SHANGHAI "Experts say this could be one of the biggest financial opportunities for investors and high tech companies this year. Currently, more than ten firms have announced plans to list on the new board."

BROCK SILVERS, MANAGING DIRECTOR KAIYUAN CAPITAL "There's going to be a real benefit for the first wave of companies that list, because there will be an initial burst of enthusiasm and they will find some support. But after that first wave, the only way that enthusiasm maintains itself is if their companies are performing as advertised."

The new board has aspects that investors like: wider price fluctuation limits, flexible buy and sell volume and market-oriented IPO pricing. But investors are also aware of potential risks.

BROCK SILVERS, MANAGING DIRECTOR KAIYUAN CAPITAL "These were companies that were long rejected by capital markets. Until they had established a track record of profitability, which lowers their risks for retail investors. Here we're skipping over that stage, which does pass along some risks. But that's also why we've seen some restriction from the regulators on who's qualified to invest on the new board."

Preventing risk is the top priority for regulators. Experts say that's why the board bars investors with fewer than 500 thousand yuan worth of assets and less than two years of stock experience. There are much stricter information disclosure requirements for companies too.

LU HUA, ASSISTANT DEAN FUDAN SHANGHAI INSTITUTE FOR FREE TRADE ZONE RESEARCH "According to the disclosed information, there are going to be various punishments for listed companies with less than 70 or 50 percent of expected revenue levels. Those that are seriously under-performing might be forced to withdraw from the board."

Experts say the new board is highly market oriented, and might prove attractive to Chinese firms that were originally looking to list overseas.

YCX, CGTN, SHANGHAI.