Securities watchdog to better monitor nation's stock markets

As regulators unveil more guidelines and policies to stabilize stock markets and economic growth, market mavens have expressed greater optimism regarding the performance of A shares this year.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities watchdog, said at a work conference on Monday that it will step up joint monitoring and supervision of the country's stock, exchange-traded and over-the-counter markets, as well as the futures and spot markets.

The CSRC will also work closely with the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, to better use structural monetary tools.