The db x-trackers Harvest CSI300 Index UCITS ETF is available for investment from 7 January 2014 and will list of the London Stock Exchange and the Deutsche Borse on 16 January. The product, which tracks the performance of the 300 largest and most liquid A-shares stocks,  is the first of its kind to be given such approval by a European regulator.

A-shares are listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, trade in Chinese renminbi and are subject to foreign ownership restriction. However, they are regarded as equities that best represent the Chinese economy. A-shares represent over 75 per cent of Chinese equity market capitalisation, covering more than 2,000 companies across all industry sectors, said the statement.

Only foreign investors approved by China's regulator as qualified foreign institutional investors are Renminbi QFII can invest in A-shares. Harvest is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank's Chinese asset maangement joint venture, Harvest Fund Management, and has RQFII status. 

"Providing investors with this product is a major achievement and can be seen as a significant step in opening up the world's second largest economy to European investors," said Reinhard Bellete, DeAWM's head of passive asset management.

In July 2012, DeAWM listed the first ETF in Europe that provides exposure to the CSI300 Index, which was well received by the market and now records around $950 million in assets under management. The latest launch is a follow up to this success.