CHICAGO and SHANGHAI, Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, and China Financial Futures Exchange Inc. (CFFEX), the sole financial derivatives exchange in mainland China, announced today that they have signed an agreement on market data provision. Under this agreement, CME Group will license and distribute CFFEX market data outside of mainland China, to customers of CME Group's recognized market data distribution platform.

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"We are pleased to enter into this strategic partnership and act as the global market data distributor for CFFEX outside of mainland China. Through this relationship, CME Group establishes itself as a critical component for global customers that want access to Chinese markets," said Phupinder Gill, CME Group Chief Executive Officer. "CFFEX is an important partner for us and we are privileged to play a key role in the internalization of their benchmark products, as China continues on its path of financial market liberalization."

"CFFEX's vision is to build a world leading exchange with lofty social responsibilities, comprehensive market functions, modern corporate governance and robust operational efficiency," Hu Zheng, Chief Executive Officer of China Financial Futures Exchange said. "Global development is one of our main goals and an important driver of market growth. This is why it is essential for us to work closely with global partners such as CME Group and why we attach such significance to signing this agreement. We believe it is a milestone for both parties."

Leo Melamed, CME Group Chairman Emeritus, added, ""This agreement is a major step in the strategic relationship between CFFEX and CME, a result of many years of cooperation and friendship."

CME Group

As the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) is where the world comes to manage risk. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, weather and real estate. CME Group brings buyers and sellers together through its CME Globex electronic trading platform and its trading facilities in New York and Chicago. CME Group also operates CME Clearing, one of the world's leading central counterparty clearing providers, which offers clearing and settlement services across asset classes for exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter derivatives transactions. These products and services ensure that businesses everywhere can substantially mitigate counterparty credit risk.

The Globe Logo, CME Group, CME, Globex, CME Clearing Europe and Chicago Mercantile Exchange are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Further information about CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) and its products can be found at www.cmegroup.com.

CFFEX

With the approval of the State Council and the authorization of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) was jointly founded by Shanghai Futures Exchange, Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, Dalian Commodity Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange on September 8, 2006 in Shanghai. The establishment of CFFEX is of strategic significance to the deepening reform of the financial market, perfecting the financial market system, and exercising the function of the financial market.

Among CFFEX's main functions include organizing and arranging the listing, trading, clearing and settlement of financial derivatives including financial futures, formulating exchange rules, carrying out self-management, releasing market trading information, and providing technology, venues and facility services. CFFEX is the only financial futures exchange in mainland China. The listed contracts include CSI 300 Index Futures and 5 Year Treasury Bond Futures. For more information, please visit www.cffex.com.cn.

SOURCE CME Group