(Yicai Global) Oct. 16 -- China's mainland stock markets opened higher this morning after China and 14 other countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement yesterday to formalize the existence of the world's biggest community of free trade nations.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 0.47 percent higher to 3,325.62. The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 13,811.85, up 0.42 percent, and the ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, rose 0.34 percent to 2,716.02.

RCEP-related firms surged at the open, including Jinzhou Port [SHA:600190], which is based in Northeast China, soared to the 10 percent daily price limit to stop trading at CNY3.27 (50 US cents); Jiangsu Lianyungang Port [SHA:601008] also touched the ceiling at opening, climbing to CNY4.16; Shandong-based Bohai Ferry Group [SHA:603167] also surged 10 percent CNY11.43.

The 15 countries signatory to the RCEP include China and the other 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Editor: Ben Armour