-- The Chinese stock market kicked off the first trading day of the Year of the Ox with widespread gains.

-- As China steps up capital market reforms, Chinese stocks and bonds will become increasingly attractive to both domestic and international investors.

-- China's financial opening up is running at full tilt despite the changing international environment and coronavirus-induced shocks.

BEIJING, Feb. 18  -- The Chinese stock market kicked off the first trading day of the Year of the Ox with widespread gains, as the country's ongoing capital market reforms added to investor confidence.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened 1.81 percent higher while the Shenzhen Component Index jumped 1.97 percent at opening.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, was up 1.82 percent to open at 3,475.89 points Thursday.