BEIJING - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has approved the setting up of a futures exchange in the southern city of Guangzhou, the securities regulator said on Friday.

The launch of the new exchange is part of efforts for China to develop the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Greater Bay Area, the spokeswoman Gao Li said.

The CSRC had planned the exchange since October 2020.

(Reporting by Min Zhang and Shivani Singh; Editing by Catherine Evans) ((min.zhang@thomsonreuters.com; (8610) 5669-2105;))