As of Wednesday, the 15th anniversary of the founding of ChiNext, 1,358 companies had been listed on China's Nasdaq-style board for growth enterprises, with a total market value exceeding 12 trillion yuan (about 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars).
The Shenzhen-based ChiNext board was established in 2009 with 28 listed companies.
As a sector dedicated to the listing of innovative and growing enterprises, high-tech companies currently represent approximately 90 percent of ChiNext. This includes a diverse range of industries such as new-generation information technology, new energy, biotechnology, new materials, and high-end equipment manufacturing. Collectively, these companies have a total market value exceeding 9 trillion yuan (about 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars), accounting for 75 percent of the sector's total market value.
According to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the volume and activity of ChiNext continue to grow, with investors now exceeding 50 million in number and the investor structure steadily optimizing. Over the past five years, the average shareholding ratio of institutional investors has been around 50 percent, while the proportion of public fund offerings and foreign investors is on the rise.
Market value of China's ChiNext exceeds 12 tln yuan
Many countries on Friday urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other Middle East regions due to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived off Israel's coast on Friday, raising concerns that the U.S. and Iran may be moving closer to direct military confrontation.
Meanwhile, Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for Iran's armed forces, said the military is closely monitoring U.S. and Israeli movements, and warned that any provocation by U.S. forces or allied groups would draw a "decisive response," according to Iranian news agency on Friday.
On the same day, the U.S. State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families from Israel. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged staff wishing to leave to do so "today," according to U.S. media reports.
The U.S. embassy said it may further restrict travel by government personnel and their families to certain areas of Israel, as well as the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing security concerns and warning that measures could be imposed without advance notice.
Concerns have spread beyond the region. The British government said it has temporarily withdrawn staff from Iran, with its embassy continuing to operate remotely, and advised against all travel to the country.
Canada and India also issued similar advisories, with Canada warning that hostilities could erupt with little or no warning.
The French Foreign Ministry issued a security advisory for French nationals against travel to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank, citing possible regional repercussions from the situation involving Iran. It warned of potential flight cancellations or delays and urged citizens in affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid gatherings.
Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised extreme caution across the Middle East. "Italians in (Iran) for tourism or whose presence is not strictly necessary are urged to depart," the foreign ministry said in a statement, strongly discouraging travel to Iraq and Lebanon as well.
Germany updated its travel guidance to discourage travel to all of Israel, expanding earlier advice that had applied only to certain parts of the country.
The Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a security alert on Friday, urging Chinese nationals in Israel to strengthen precautionary measures as risks in the Middle East further escalated.
The escalation follows a third round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran in Geneva.
Countries issue security advisory for nationals as U.S.-Iran tensions rise
