Hong Kong Stock Exchange Market
In 1891 the first formal securities market, the Association of Stockbrokers in Hong Kong, was established. A few decades later it was renamed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) or the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK). A second exchange, the Hong Kong Stockbrokers' Association was opened in 1921. The two exchanges merged to form the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1947.

The HKSE also merged with other four national exchanges in the end of the 20th century. The new exchange started trading through a computer-assisted system on 2 April 1986.The unified exchange had 570 participating organizations.

In 1993, the Exchange launched the Automatic Order Matching and Execution System (AMS) that was replaced by the third generation system (AMS/3) in October 2000. The new system enabled the exchange participants to trade from their offices.

The HKSE launched its traded stock options market in 1995. The first stock option was on HSBC Holdings plc. In 1999, the HKSE opened the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) that made the access to the capital market easier for riskier businesses. After a year, the Growth Enterprise Index (GEI) was launched. Finally, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong together with Hong Kong Futures Exchange Ltd. established in 1976 and Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Ltd. incorporated in 1989 merged to form a unified company Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) in 2000. Shares of the HKEx were listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong with a stock code of 388.

Reports of securities trading in Hong Kong date back to the mid-19th century. However, the first formal market, the Association of Stockbrokers in Hong Kong, was not established until 1891. The Association was re-named the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1914. A second exchange, the Hong Kong Stockbrokers' Association was incorporated in 1921. The two exchanges merged to form the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1947 and re-establish the stock market after the Second World War.

Pressure to strengthen market regulation and to unify the four exchanges led to the incorporation of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 1980. The four exchanges ceased business on 27 March 1986 and the new exchange commenced trading through a computer-assisted system on 2 April 1986. Prior to the completion of the exchange merger in March 2000, the unified stock exchange had 570 participant organizations.

Hong Kong Growth Enterprise Market
GEM operates on the philosophy of "buyers beware" and "let the market decide" based on a strong disclosure regime. Its rules and requirements are designed to foster a culture of self compliance by listed issuers and sponsors in the discharge of their respective responsibilities. The following major features are to support this philosophy:
1) No requirement on lowest profit gained. The company should show that it has a two-year active business record. The stock value at IPO should reach HK$46 m.
2) A clear statement of the company¡¯s mission. The missions have to be listed and achieving methods have to be explained.
3) The principle of ¡®buyers beware¡¯. The investors should understand the market clearly.
4) Two non-executive directors. The two executive directors are usually responsible for supervision but not business management.
5) Greater, More Frequent and Timely Disclosure.