China's publicly offered funds hit new highs in 2025, with the scale of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reaching 5.78 trillion yuan (around 821 billion U.S. dollars) by Friday, representing a growth of more than 2 trillion yuan, or 53 percent, within the year, according to financial data provider Wind Information.
The ETF market has undergone a much faster growth, with the scale rising from 4 to 5 trillion yuan in just four months. Previously, it took 14 years for the number to rise from 0 to 1 trillion.
Two batches of sci-tech innovation bond ETFs were listed successively in July and September this year. So far, the scale of 24 sci-tech innovation bond ETFs has reached 257.664 billion yuan, an increase of 269 percent compared with the issuance scale of 69.773 billion yuan. Among them, the scale of 16 ones has each topped 10 billion yuan.
Meanwhile, China also saw significant growth in the fund of funds (FOF) this year. As of Dec 17, the fund-raising scale of the 79 FOFs established within the year reached 80.354 billion yuan, exceeding the total issuance of the previous three years. The average issuance scale of a single product reached 1.049 billion yuan, more than three times that of 2024.
China's ETFs increase 53 pct in 2025
Hong Kong's first astronaut lifted off into space on Sunday, sparking a wave of enthusiasm for space exploration in the special administrative region, while inspiring a new generation to look to the stars.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 23:08 (Beijing Time) on Sunday. The crew members include Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut and payload specialist from Hong Kong to join a national space mission, whose achievements have motivated many Hong Kong residents.
"I feel so happy and thrilled. This is the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space, and to see a true Hong Konger, who is also a mother of three, just really touches my heart," said Chow, a local resident.
The successful spaceflight of Lai has especially captivated the younger generation to dream bigger about the future.
"I want to be an astronaut, because I want to discover more things about space," said a young student surnamed Chow.
"I have seen things related to spaceflights of astronauts. I hope when I grow up, I could receive training and go to space myself," said another student surnamed Koo.
To meet public expectations, the Hong Kong Space Museum has updated its space-themed exhibition with the latest development of the Shenzhou-23 mission, extending the display until July 6. Parents are seizing the moment to enrich their children's knowledge.
"At his age, I want him to be exposed to a wide range of information. With all the recent astronaut news, I brought him here specially to see for himself. We will also check out a film about space knowledge at the planetarium. I hope he can get more out of this from an early age," said Cheung, a father.
"We just watched the Shenzhou-23 launch at home with my son last night, and decided to take him to the Space Museum," a mother surnamed Chun shared.
"I saw on TV that so many people were cheering for the launch. When the rocket was launched, fire burst out from its body. I was really happy they succeeded," said Chun's son.
Hong Kong's first astronaut ignites citywide enthusiasm over space exploration
