How to invest in China using ETFs

How do I invest in Chinese stocks?

The easiest way to invest in the whole Chinese stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.

On the Chinese stock market you'll find 10 indices which are tracked by ETFs. The speciality of China are the three categories of Chinese stocks: A-stocks, B-stocks and H-stocks.

Alternatively, you may invest in indices on Emerging Markets or Asia.

0.19% p.a. - 0.75% p.a.
annual total expense ratio (TER) of China ETFs
on the Chinese stock market, which are tracked by ETFs
on the Chinese stock market
 
The best indices for China ETFs

Performance of Chinese stocks (MSCI China)

1 month: -2.10%
1 year: 23.19%
3 years: 26.45%
5 years: -10.20%
 

Indices in comparison

The best indices for ETFs on China

For an investment in the Chinese stock market, there are 10 indices available which are tracked by 23 ETFs. The speciality of investing in China are the different categories of Chinese stocks. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0.19% p.a. and 0.75% p.a..

Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description

CSI 300

China 2 ETFs 300
The CSI 300 index tracks 300 stocks with the largest market capitalisation and liquidity from the entire universe of listed A share companies in the People’s Republic of China.
Index factsheet

CSI A 500

China 1 ETF
The CSI A 500 index tracks Chinese A-Shares.

CSI Overseas China Internet

China 1 ETF
The CSI Overseas China Internet index tracks offshore listed Chinese companies whose main business is in internet-related sectors.
Index factsheet

FTSE China 30/18 Capped

China 1 ETF 1,073
(31.08.23)
The FTSE China 30/18 Capped tracks Chinese companies with large and medium market capitalisation whose shares are listed on stock exchanges in China (A shares) or outside China (B shares, H shares, P chips, red chips, S chips, N shares). The largest company in the index is limited to a maximum of 30 percent of the index capitalization, all other index components to a maximum of 18 percent.
Index factsheet

FTSE China 50

China 2 ETFs 50
The FTSE China 50 index tracks the 50 largest and most liquid Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (H-Shares, Red Chips und P Chips).
Index factsheet

MSCI China

China 7 ETFs 560
(28.11.25)
The MSCI China index tracks the largest and most liquid Chinese stocks (A shares, H shares, B shares, Red chips, P chips).
Index factsheet

MSCI China A

China 3 ETFs 547
(28.11.25)
The MSCI China A index tracks the largest and most liquid Chinese A-Shares, denominated in Renminbi ("RMB") and listed on the Shenzhen and/or Shanghai stock exchanges. This index reflects Mainland China A-share securities from a domestic investor’s perspective.
Index factsheet

MSCI China A Inclusion

China 4 ETFs 541
(31.08.23)
The MSCI China A Inclusion index tracks China A-Shares also included in the MSCI Emerging Markets.
Index factsheet

MSCI China All Shares Stock Connect Select

China 1 ETF 755
(31.08.23)
The MSCI China All Shares Stock Connect Select index tracks large and mid cap Chinese securities. The stock selection includes share classes listed in Shanghai or Shenzhen (A-Shares, B-Shares), Hongkong (H-Shares, Red-chips, P-chips) as well as foreign listings
Index factsheet

S&P China A 300

China 1 ETF 300
The S&P China A 300 index tracks the 300 largest and most liquid Chinese A-Shares, denominated in Renminbi ("RMB") and listed on the Shenzhen and/or Shanghai stock exchanges.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
  Fund size
in m EUR
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE00BJ5JPG56 3,616 0.28% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
iShares MSCI China A UCITS ETFIE00BQT3WG13 1,843 0.40% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Franklin FTSE China UCITS ETFIE00BHZRR147 1,788 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers CSI 300 Swap UCITS ETF 1CLU0779800910 1,312 0.50% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
Xtrackers MSCI China UCITS ETF 1CLU0514695690 1,222 0.65% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
HSBC MSCI China UCITS ETF USDIE00B44T3H88 1,151 0.28% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
iShares China Large Cap UCITS ETFIE00B02KXK85 956 0.74% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
KraneShares CSI China Internet UCITS ETF USDIE00BFXR7892 800 0.75% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers MSCI China UCITS ETF 1DLU2456436083 585 0.28% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi MSCI China UCITS ETF AccLU1841731745 559 0.29% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
Amundi Core MSCI China A Swap UCITS ETF DistLU2572256746 457 0.25% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Unfunded swap
iShares MSCI China UCITS ETF USD (Dist)IE00BL977C92 386 0.28% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 UCITS ETF 1DLU0875160326 277 0.65% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
UBS MSCI China A SF UCITS ETF USD accIE00BKFB6K94 125 0.24% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Swap-based
HSBC MSCI China UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE0007P4PBU1 123 0.28% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers MSCI China A UCITS ETF 1C 1CLU0292109856 118 0.35% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi MSCI China A UCITS ETF AccFR0011720911 117 0.35% p.a. Accumulating France Full replication
Invesco MSCI China All Shares Stock Connect UCITS ETF AccIE00BK80XL30 94 0.35% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
HSBC MSCI China A Inclusion UCITS ETFIE00BF4NQ904 65 0.30% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
HSBC MSCI China A UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE000Z4OYPZ6 39 0.30% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
iShares China Large Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE000QOU09J7 33 0.74% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Invesco S&P China A 300 Swap UCITS ETF AccIE000K9Z3SF5 13 0.35% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
Xtrackers Harvest CSI A500 UCITS ETF 1DLU1310477036 12 0.65% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
 
Index   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
MSCI China A Inclusion -3.61% 1.91% 19.40% 9.84% 6.43%
CSI A 500 -3.41% 0.30% 13.23% 12.90% 18.01%
CSI 300 -3.33% 3.43% 21.15% 13.30% 21.15%
MSCI China A -3.22% 3.13% 22.12% 14.17% -
CSI Overseas China Internet -7.61% 0.66% 10.71% 14.92% 27.64%
S&P China A 300 -3.55% 4.22% 23.69% 15.53% 21.75%
MSCI China All Shares Stock Connect Select -4.33% 2.99% 16.35% 18.63% 21.33%
FTSE China 50 -3.04% 3.49% 10.11% 22.83% 39.74%
FTSE China 30/18 Capped -4.51% 3.43% 15.71% 24.02% 31.55%
MSCI China -4.60% 3.65% 15.17% 24.19% 32.11%
Index   2025
in %
2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
CSI Overseas China Internet 1.15% 20.46% -13.00% -11.21% -45.01%
MSCI China A Inclusion 7.62% 18.55% -16.78% -21.58% 11.33%
CSI A 500 7.78% 25.28% -15.02% -16.55% 1.98%
MSCI China A 10.22% 21.22% - - -
CSI 300 10.98% 23.45% -12.91% -19.91% 11.68%
S&P China A 300 13.84% 22.68% -13.59% - -
MSCI China All Shares Stock Connect Select 14.77% 23.23% -15.45% -19.10% -
FTSE China 50 16.68% 39.34% -16.58% -15.07% -14.06%
MSCI China 18.98% 26.61% -14.39% -17.43% -15.41%
FTSE China 30/18 Capped 19.57% 26.84% -14.97% -18.16% -13.60%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30.11.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

 

The cheapest China ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)

Show all

Speciality

Chinese A-stocks (A-Shares): Stocks of Chinese companies that are listed on the Shanghai or Shenzhen stock exchange and traded in local currency.

This category has been exclusive to Chinese investors. However, professional foreign investors with a special license are able to invest in these stocks under certain restrictions.

Chinese B-stocks (B-Shares): Stocks of Chinese companies that are listed on the Shanghai or Shenzhen stock exchange and traded in foreign currency.

This category has been open for foreign investments. Since the restrictions on A-Shares have been lowered, these shares tend to be losing liquidity.

Hong Kong H-stocks (H-Shares): Stocks of Chinese companies that are listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and traded in Hong Kong Dollar (HKD).

This category has been open for foreign investments as well. Most institutional investors prefer H-stocks due to their relatively high liquidity.

 
Alternative investment opportunities

Emerging markets indices with a large share of China

As alternative you can consider ETFs on emerging markets. Currently, you can invest in 3 emerging markets indices tracked by 21 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on emerging markets is between 0.11% p.a. and 0.74% p.a..

 
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description
FTSE BIC 50 Emerging Markets
China: 84.49%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 50
The FTSE BIC 50 index tracks the 50 largest stocks of the BIC countries (Brazil, India, China).
Index factsheet
FTSE Emerging Emerging Markets
China: 33.14%
(30/11/2022)
3 ETFs 2,219
(28.06.24)
The FTSE Emerging index tracks stocks from emerging markets worldwide.
Index factsheet
MSCI Emerging Markets Emerging Markets
China: 30.40%
(30/11/2022)
17 ETFs 1,196
(28.11.25)
The MSCI Emerging Markets index tracks stocks from emerging markets worldwide.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
  Fund size
in m EUR
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF 1CIE00BTJRMP35 8,266 0.18% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Optimized sampling
iShares MSCI EM UCITS ETF (Dist)IE00B0M63177 6,105 0.18% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
iShares MSCI EM UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B4L5YC18 5,179 0.18% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Amundi Core MSCI Emerging Markets Swap UCITS ETF DistLU2573966905 3,401 0.14% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Unfunded swap
Amundi Core MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF AccLU1437017350 3,165 0.18% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Swap UCITS ETF EUR AccLU1681045370 3,032 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USDIE00B5SSQT16 2,754 0.15% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (USD) DistributingIE00B3VVMM84 2,665 0.17% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
UBS Core MSCI EM UCITS ETF USD disLU0480132876 1,910 0.15% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Optimized sampling
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (USD) AccumulatingIE00BK5BR733 1,220 0.17% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Swap UCITS ETF USD AccLU1681045453 1,121 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETFIE00B469F816 1,110 0.18% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Swap II UCITS ETF EUR AccFR0010429068 839 0.55% p.a. Accumulating France Unfunded swap
Amundi Core MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF EUR DistLU1737652583 835 0.18% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE000KCS7J59 692 0.15% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Swap UCITS ETF 1CLU0292107645 648 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
Invesco MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETFIE00B3DWVS88 359 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
UBS MSCI EM SF UCITS ETF USD accIE00B3Z3FS74 144 0.14% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Swap-based
iShares BIC 50 UCITS ETF USD (Dist)IE00B1W57M07 139 0.74% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Swap II UCITS ETF USD AccFR0010435297 103 0.55% p.a. Accumulating France Unfunded swap
Franklin FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD CapitalisationIE0004I037N4 10 0.11% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
 
Index   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
FTSE Emerging -2.69% 7.22% 13.34% 13.59% 33.08%
MSCI Emerging Markets -3.21% 9.80% 17.13% 18.39% 35.26%
FTSE BIC 50 -3.66% 5.69% 10.83% 22.98% 31.71%
Index   2025
in %
2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
FTSE Emerging 11.32% 19.19% 4.11% -12.40% 7.62%
MSCI Emerging Markets 17.56% 14.36% 5.75% -15.28% 5.39%
FTSE BIC 50 19.49% 21.27% -10.62% -24.06% -17.37%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30.11.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

 

Asia indices with a large share of China

As further alternative you can invest in indices on Asia. In total, you can consider 4 Asian indices, which are tracked by 9 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Asian indices is between 0.20% p.a. and 0.74% p.a..

 
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description
MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan Asia Pacific
China: 28.63%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 1,060
(28.11.25)
The MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan index tracks equity markets of the emerging and developed countries of the Asia and Pacific region, excluding Japan.
Index factsheet
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Asia Pacific
China: 34.64%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 1,009
(28.11.25)
The MSCI AC Asia ex Japan index tracks equity markets of the emerging and developed countries of the Asia region, excluding Japan.
Index factsheet
MSCI AC Far East ex Japan Asia Pacific
China: 41.69%
(30/11/2022)
3 ETFs 846
(28.11.25)
The MSCI AC Far East ex Japan index tracks equity markets of the emerging and developed countries of the East Asian region, excluding Japan.
Index factsheet
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Asia Pacific
China: 38.94%
(30/11/2022)
4 ETFs 966
(28.11.25)
The MSCI Emerging Markets Asia index tracks large and mid cap companies from Asian emerging markets.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
  Fund size
in m EUR
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
iShares MSCI EM Asia UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B5L8K969 4,367 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Asia UCITS ETF EUR (C)LU1681044480 1,208 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
SPDR MSCI EM Asia UCITS ETFIE00B466KX20 1,069 0.55% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
iShares MSCI AC Far East ex-Japan UCITS ETFIE00B0M63730 945 0.74% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Amundi MSCI Emerging Markets Asia UCITS ETF USDLU1681044563 640 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
UBS MSCI AC Asia ex Japan SF UCITS ETF USD accIE00B7WK2W23 569 0.23% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Swap-based
Amundi MSCI AC Asia Pacific Ex Japan UCITS ETF AccLU1900068328 511 0.60% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
HSBC MSCI AC Far East ex Japan UCITS ETF USDIE00BBQ2W338 277 0.45% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
iShares MSCI AC Far East ex-Japan UCITS ETF USD (Acc)IE00BKPX3K41 76 0.74% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
 
Index   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan -3.93% 7.38% 13.99% 12.49% 29.47%
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan -3.70% 9.29% 16.87% 17.61% 36.25%
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia -4.16% 9.93% 17.59% 17.74% 37.92%
MSCI AC Far East ex Japan -4.52% 9.73% 21.51% 24.76% 39.91%
Index   2025
in %
2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan 11.81% 16.92% 2.96% -12.62% 3.78%
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan 16.13% 18.97% 2.12% -14.88% 2.94%
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia 17.53% 19.10% 3.84% -15.09% 1.48%
MSCI AC Far East ex Japan 22.25% 18.71% -1.28% -15.89% -2.74%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30.11.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.