(Yicai Global) Aug. 16 -- China's securities regulator is planning to allow more foreigners to open mainland share accounts starting from Sept. 15.

Non-nationals working in China and foreign staff employed overseas by domestic listed companies will be able to open mainland securities accounts from that date, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said in a statement yesterday.

Eligible investors will still be limited to those from countries whose securities regulators have agreed to partner the CSRC, it added. Beijing has signed 68 bilateral agreements to date, covering 62 countries and regions and opening up the doors to hundreds of thousands of new investors.

There are only three kinds of foreigner currently able to open share accounts on the mainland: those with permanent residence, those who have set up a foreign-backed joint-stock company listed there and those who work for public companies.

Editor: James Boynton