With mainland and Hong Kong markets out today, trading linked are also closed. , What are these 'trading links'? Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect is one: * a mutual market access program through which investors in each market can trade shares on the other market directly * launched in 2014 * Northbound Trading allows international and Hong Kong investors to trade eligible shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange via the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. * Southbound Trading allows mainland Chinese investors to trade eligible shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange via the Shanghai Stock Exchange. * The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect allows foreign investors to access China's A-shares market (shares in mainland China-based companies that were previously difficult for foreign investors to access) and it allows mainland Chinese investors to access the Hong Kong market. In addition to the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, there is also the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect * launched in 2016 * links Shenzhen Stock Exchange with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in a similar way This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.