The largest Chinese companies heavily weigh in the country’s economy and beyond. Here, the top 30 largest publicly traded companies from China, some of the largest constituents of the Shanghai Composite index, are presented together with their activities, logos, and useful links.
In China, large companies have to obtain approval from the State Council Securities Management Department before their shares can be traded in the main Chinese stock exchange, the Shanghai Stock Exchange – SSE. Provided they comply with the regulations defined by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), regarding size, age, and profitability, Chinese companies can then obtain capital from stock market investors who buy their shares, which are then quoted continuously on the SSE.
Due to China’s historically centralized administration and production, many of the largest Chinese companies that are listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange have either been founded or spun-off from public organizations (such as ministries, province, or city governments) or state-owned companies. It is often the case that state-owned companies create a separate arm to properly comply with the CSRC requirements and get listed, and be able to better manage the transition to private shareholding.
The Shanghai Composite Index
To facilitate the understanding of the evolution of the Chinese stock market and the broader economy of China, the stocks of the companies listed on the SSE are aggregated in the Shanghai Composite index, also known as the SSE Composite index or SSE index. The SSE index is widely recognized as the benchmark index of the Chinese stock market.
The SSE index is calculated as a weighted composite index relative to a baseline defined when the SSE was reformed in 1990 (according to the Paasche weighted composite price index formula). It generally gives more weight to larger companies though the exact weight of each company in the index does not match its exact market capitalization to the whole market.
With the main SSE index encompassing all companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, narrower indices have also been created to include only the larger companies. The other key indices, SSE 180, SSE 50, and SSE 20 thus only reflect the performance of the largest 180, 50, and 20 companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The real-time quotation of the Shanghai Composite index can be followed with convenient graphical tools from a number of sources, including the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, etc.
For more information on other world-leading companies, check our series of posts on Top Companies, and for more information on the continent, read our articles on Top Business Resources for China.
List of the 30 largest companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange by market capitalization
To help you better understand Chinese corporations, the 30 largest companies in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which are also the largest components of the Shanghai Composite index (and SSE 180 and SSE 50), are listed hereafter. Each company is presented with details on its sector and industry, operations, a direct link to its website, market capitalization, logo, and stock ticker. Companies are ranked by market capitalization in Chinese Yuan, as of effective close on Monday, November 9, 2020.
Note that if you are searching for information on these companies to invest in their stocks, make sure you know what you are doing as your investment will be subject to significant risks with the evolution of stock prices. To learn more about investing in the stock market and managing your portfolio, check our post on the best online courses on stock investing and trading.
Shortcuts to each company
To facilitate your browsing in this long list, here are quick links to go directly to the details of any of the top 30 Shanghai Composite companies. Be sure to also check the Top 10 Chinese companies’ summary after the list!
30. China State Construction
Sector: Industrials – Industry: Engineering & Construction
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited, also referred to as China State Construction and CSCEC, is a construction and engineering company. It is engaged in housing and infrastructure design and construction, international engineering outsourcing, and real estate development. China State Construction is the publicly listed arm of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a state-owned company that also owns schools and hospitals in China as well as a stake in the company’s international subsidiary.
Website: cscec.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 222.835 Billion – Stock ticker: 601668
29. Sany Heavy Industry
Sector: Industrials – Industry: Construction Machinery
Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., more simply known as Sany, is a multinational heavy equipment company. Listed by its parent company Sany Group, Sany Heavy Industry manufactures concrete machinery, excavators, cranes, wheel loaders, mining equipment, and other heavy machines. Heavily present in China, Sany also has facilities in Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
Website: sanyglobal.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 233.421 Billion – Stock ticker: 600031
28. Yili
Sector: Consumer Defensive – Industry: Packaged Foods
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., more simply known as Yili Group or just Yili, is a leading manufacturer of dairy products in China. It produces a range of milk products, including fresh milk, sterilized milk, ice cream, milk tea powder under the brands Yili, Pro-Kido, and Satine. Originally a state-owned company, the company has over the years reformed to become a state-owned private enterprise.
Website: yili.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 240.348 Billion – Stock ticker: 600887
27. PICC
Sector: Financials – Industry: Insurance
The People’s Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited, more simply known as PICC Group or just PICC, is a state-owned insurance and financial services company. Tracing its origins to 1949, PICC is engaged in several businesses through dedicated subsidiaries, including property and casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, asset management, capital investment, and reinsurance.
Website: picc.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 257.431 Billion – Stock ticker: 601319
26. Longi Green Energy Technology
Sector: Technology – Industry: Semiconductor Equipment & Materials
Longi Green Energy Technology, more simply known as Longi Group, is a solar technology company. It manufactures photovoltaic materials, photovoltaic power generation equipment, and solar power plant systems and provides services for photovoltaic power generation. A global leader in photovoltaic materials, Longi operates plants in China, India, and Malaysia, and has another large manufacturing plant under development in Saudi Arabia.
Website: en.longigroup.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 272.213 Billion – Stock ticker: 601012
25. Wanhua Chemical
Sector: Basic Materials – Industry: Chemicals
Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., more simply known as Wanhua Chemical is a chemical company primarily involved in polyurethane and petrochemical products. It is engaged in research and development, production, and sales of polyurethane products such as isocyanates and polyols, petrochemical products such as acrylic and esters, and other chemicals. One of the largest polyurethane suppliers in China and Asia-Pacific, Wanhua Chemical has also created subsidiaries notably in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Japan, Russia, and India.
Website: whchem.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 274.414 Billion – Stock ticker: 600309
24. SPD Bank
Sector: Financials – Industry: Regional Banks
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. Ltd, more simply known as SPD Bank, is a joint-stock bank whose largest shareholder is the Shanghai International Group, a state-owned company.. It is involved in commercial banking, corporate investment banking, and capital markets, offering a diversified range of credit and financial services to individuals and businesses. With branches all over China and Hong Kong, SPD Bank has also opened a branch in London, UK.
Website: spdb.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 276.79 Billion – Stock ticker: 600000
23. Conch Cement
Sector: Basic Materials – Industry: Building Materials
Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., also known as Conch Cement, is a manufacturer of cement and cement clinker. Based in Anhui Province, Anhui Conch Cement is engaged in the development, production, and sales of cement products, and it is one of the largest cement producers in Asia. Anhui Conch Cement is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and its largest shareholders and state-owned companies.
Website: conch.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 279.659 Billion – Stock ticker: 600585
22. Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway
Sector: Industrials – Industry: Railroads
Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway Co., Ltd. is constructing, financing, and operating high-speed railway lines and stations between the two cities. Running through 7 Chinese provinces, the main railway spans a total of 1,318 km, with numerous tunnels, roadbeds, and 24 train stations, and allows trains to reach a speed of 350 km/h.
Website: cr-jh.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 280.889 Billion – Stock ticker: 601816
21. Foxconn Industrial Internet
Sector: Technology – Industry: Communication Equipment
Foxconn Industrial Internet, also referred to as FII, is a company primarily involved in the production and sales of communication network equipment. It designs and manufactures a range of electronic equipment products for communications, IT, cloud-services, precision tools, and industrial robots. FII also provides technology solutions for cloud computing, mobile terminals, the internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence, high-speed networks, and robots.
Website: fii-foxconn.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 286.131 Billion – Stock ticker: 601138
20. China Securities
Sector: Financials – Industry: Capital Markets
CSC Financial Co., Ltd., operating as China Securities, is an investment bank and brokerage firm. Founded by CITIC Securities (see below) and China Jianyin Investment, China Securities is involved in securities brokerage and a wide range of financial activities through various subsidiaries, including corporate banking, securities finance, asset management, fixed income, stock and derivatives trading, risk management and more. CSC Financial is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: csc108.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 290.662 Billion – Stock ticker: 601066
19. WuXi AppTec
Sector: Healthcare – Industry: Diagnostics & Research
WuXi AppTec, is a global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device company. It operates in research and development and manufacturing in five main areas of business: small molecule therapeutics, biological therapeutics, cell therapy and gene therapy, medical devices, and molecular testing and genomics. Besides its R&D centers and factories in China, WuXi AppTec has developed branches in the United States, Iceland, Germany, Israel, and South Korea.
Website: wuxiapptec.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 291.029 Billion – Stock ticker: 603259
18. China Pacific Insurance
Sector: Financials – Industry: Insurance
China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd., more simply known as CPIC, is a national joint-stock commercial insurance company. It operates in diversified insurance services, including life insurance, car insurance, home insurance, liability insurance, health insurance, reinsurance, and asset management through dedicated subsidiaries. China Pacific Insurance is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and has multiple public organizations as key shareholders.
Website: cpic.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 293.249 Billion – Stock ticker: 601601
17. Bank of Communications
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
Bank of Communications Limited, also known as Bocom, is a commercial bank. Founded in 1908, Bank of Communications is one of the largest Chinese banks, operating a network of more than 2,800 throughout the country. Besides Hong Kong where it is also listed on the stock exchange, Bank of Communications has also opened branches in New York, Tokyo, Singapore, and representative offices in London and Frankfurt.
Website: bankcomm.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 303.532 Billion – Stock ticker: 601328
16. SAIC Motor
Sector: Consumer Cyclical – Industry: Auto Manufacturers
Shanghai Automotive Group Co., Ltd., abbreviated as SAIC, is a state-owned automaker. Tracing its origins to the 1940s, SAIC manufactures and markets passenger cars of various world-famous brands through sino-foreign joint ventures with Volkswagen and General Motors. SAIC also manufactures and sells the English brands MG and Maxus, which it now fully owns, as well as a number of Chinese brands, such as Roewe and Tuejin. It also provides related financing services and is engaged in investments in intelligent and electric vehicles.
Website: saicmotor.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 331.811 Billion – Stock ticker: 600104
15. China Shenhua
Sector: Energy – Industry: Thermal Coal
China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., also more simply referred to as China Shenhua, is the largest coal producer in China. It is primarily operating in coal mining and power generation, together with related railway and seaport dedicated to the transportation of coal. China Shenhua Energy is majority-owned by the state-owned China Energy Investment Corporation.
Website: csec.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 336.609 Billion – Stock ticker: 601088
14. CITIC Securities
Sector: Financials – Industry: Capital Markets
CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. is an investment bank involved in the securities business in mainland China. CITIC offers a range of financial services including securities trading, debt service, dividend distribution, underwriting, investment consulting, and client asset management. Its main shareholder is the state-owned investment company CITIC Group.
Website: cs.ecitic.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 357.592 Billion – Stock ticker: 600030
13. Industrial Bank
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
The Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., is a joint-stock commercial bank. It provides services in personal banking, corporate banking, and institutional banking with a range of related financial services including deposits, credit, payments, credit cards, insurance, and more.
Website: cib.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 373.728 Billion – Stock ticker: 601166
12. Postal Savings Bank of China
Sector: Financials – Industry: Regional Banks
Postal Savings Bank of China Co., Ltd., also known as PSBC, is a commercial retail bank. It primarily provides financial services to small and medium enterprises and rural and low-income customers, notably with microfinance services, thanks to a network of more than 39,000 branches spread throughout the country. PSBC is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: psbc.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 388.995 Billion – Stock ticker: 601658
11. China Duty Free Group
Sector: Consumer Cyclical – Industry: Travel Services
The China Duty Free Group Co., Ltd., also known as CDF, is a company operating a duty-free business. Partnering with more than 1000 luxury brands, CDF operates more than 240 retail stores across China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Cambodia, together with six logistics centers across China. It is a subsidiary of the state-owned China Tourism Group.
Website: cdfg.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 389.52 Billion – Stock ticker: 601888
10. Sinopec
Sector: Energy – Industry: Integrated Oil & Gas
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, referred to as Sinopec, is an energy company primarily involved in oil and gas. It is engaged in the exploration, production, refining, transportation, and sales of petroleum and natural gas. Sinopec is also operating in the production and marketing of petrochemicals, fertilizers, chemicals, ethanol, and biofuels. A subsidiary of the state-owned Sinopec Group, Sinopec is also listed on the stock exchanges of Hong Kong, New York, and London.
Website: sinopec.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 453.058 Billion – Stock ticker: 600028
9. Hengrui Medicine
Sector: Healthcare – Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., more simply known as Hengrui Medicine, is a pharmaceutical company. It is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of drugs and healthcare products, especially anti-cancer, surgical drugs, contrast agents, and antibiotics.
Website: hrs.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 476.496 Billion – Stock ticker: 600276
8. PetroChina
Sector: Energy – Industry: Integrated Oil & Gas
PetroChina is an energy company primarily involved in oil and gas. The publicly-listed subsidiary of the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, PetroChina is involved in the exploration, production, refining, and marketing, of oil and natural gas, liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals, and chemical products. It is also listed on the Hong Kong and New York stock exchanges.
Website: petrochina.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 719.14 Billion – Stock ticker: 601857
7. Bank of China
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
Bank of China, is one of the largest state-owned commercial banks in China. Founded in 1912, Bank of China is involved in private banking, corporate, and investment banking. It provides a number of financial services including loans, insurance, securities brokering, asset management, and wealth management. Present throughout China, Bank of China has also opened branches in 27 countries, and it is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: boc.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 868.228 Billion – Stock ticker: 601988
6. China Life
Sector: Financials – Industry: Insurance
China Life Insurance Company Limited, more simply known as China Life, is an insurance company. Primarily operating in life insurance, China Life also provides property insurance, health insurance, pensions, and annuity products. Founded in 1949, China Life is majority-owned by the state-owned China Life Insurance Group, and it is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: chinalife.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 997.356 Billion – Stock ticker: 601628
5. China Merchants Bank
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
China Merchants Bank, also known as CMB, is a bank operating in personal, corporate, and investment banking. It provides a range of services for individuals and businesses including loans, savings and investment products, trade financing, and more. A joint-stock company controlled by the Hong Kong state-owned China Merchants Group, CMB is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: cmbchina.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 1.071 Trillion – Stock ticker: 600036
4. Agricultural Bank of China
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
The Agricultural Bank of China Co., Ltd., also known as AgBank and ABC, is a state-owned commercial bank. Founded in 1951, it operates in consumer banking, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management, and more. Providing a range of financial and insurance services to individuals and businesses throughout China, AgBank also has opened branches in Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt, Sydney, Seoul, and Singapore.
Website: abchina.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 1.099 Trillion – Stock ticker: 601288
3. Ping An
Sector: Financials – Industry: Insurance
Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. is a holding conglomerate primarily involved in insurance, banking, and financial services. Originally operating in property and casualty insurance, Ping An has diversified into life and health insurance, banking, asset management, financial technology, and medical technology through a number of subsidiary companies. Ping An Insurance is also listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
Website: pingan.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 1.433 Trillion – Stock ticker: 601318
2. ICBC
Sector: Financials – Industry: Diversified Banks
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, more simply known as ICBC, is a state-owned, multinational commercial bank. It is involved in corporate banking, personal banking, asset management, and other financial services, providing a range of credits and investments for individuals and businesses, together with wealth management and custody services. ICBC also acts on the global financial markets to trade currencies, securities, commodities, and other assets.
Website: icbc.com.cn – Market Cap.: CN¥ 1.693 Trillion – Stock ticker: 601398
1. Kweichow Moutai
Sector: Consumer Defensive – Industry: Wineries & Distilleries
Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. is an alcoholic beverage company, specialized in the production of baijiu spirit. One of the most famous baijiu brands in China, Kweichou Moutai is widely known throughout China, offering a range of different baijiu spirits. The company has diversified into a number of other foods and beverages, packaging material, and anti-counterfeiting technology. It is a subsidiary of the state-owned company Kweichow Moutai Group.
Website: moutaichina.com – Market Cap.: CN¥ 2.189 Trillion – Stock ticker: 600519
Summary: Top 10 Companies – China 2020
To give you a quick overview of the largest Chinese companies in 2020, here is a synthesizing image regrouping the information of the top 10. Note that you can use this image to embed it on your website and other digital properties with the embed code below.
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Here are the 30 largest public companies from China. Do you think they are worth their market capitalization? Are their stocks a good investment right now? Do they have too much economic power… and maybe political power too?
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