# What is A-share?

*Data & Infra · Last updated: September 27, 2026*

A type of stock traded on Chinese stock exchanges and reserved for local investors.

## Overview

They are company shares bought and sold in the local currency on mainland Chinese stock exchanges. Traditionally, foreign investors' access is subject to strict rules and restrictions.

***Analogy:** Similar to tickets in a private marketplace that only specific club members can enter.*

## How it works

Companies offer these shares to the public on local exchanges, and transactions are conducted through special clearing systems.

## Where it is used

You encounter them in global financial analyses and portfolios focused on the Chinese market.

## Commonly confused with

Unlike general international stock concepts, it contains geographical and legal restrictions.

## Questions and answers

**Can foreigners never buy them?**

Limited access is now possible thanks to special programs and connection rules.

## Related terms

- [ETF](https://trescout.com/en/dictionary/etf/)
- [Value Investing](https://trescout.com/en/dictionary/value-investing/)
- [Database](https://trescout.com/en/dictionary/database/)

## Related tools

- [Tick Stock Panel](https://trescout.com/en/discover/tick-stock-panel/)

This explanation was written in plain language for TreScout with AI and **machine-translated** from the Turkish original · the Turkish version prevails. If something looks wrong or missing, write to [hello@trescout.com](mailto:hello@trescout.com). [Read in Turkish →](https://trescout.com/dictionary/a-share/)

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Source: TreScout Dictionary · https://trescout.com/en/dictionary/a-share/