China regulators are considering the extension of the qualified foreign institutional investor (QFII) scheme to the futures market, the China Securities News reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Regulators are studying the feasibility of QFII investment both in commodity futures and financial futures, it said.

China is establishing an exchange dedicated to financial futures, and stock index futures are expected to be launched first, it said.

Under the current QFII scheme, Chinese regulators have so far granted approval to 42 overseas firms, including Deutsche Bank AG and HSBC Holdings, to trade A- shares in more than 1,300 Shanghai- or Shenzhen-listed firms.

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