Evolution of Chinese futures markets from a high frequency perspective

High-frequency trading (HFT) and algorithmic trading (AT) have attracted considerable attention from the academic and regulatory communities, often highlighted for their contributions to enhancing market liquidity. However, the distinctive market framework in China may alter the operational dynamics of intraday trading, indicating that traditional HFT/AT paradigms might not fully apply. This study investigates the evolution of market quality in China from an HFT/AT perspective, using publicly available high-frequency data for six futures products traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and the Dalian Commodity Exchange. Our findings reveals improvements in contract continuity and liquidity diversification from a daily perspective. Furthermore, the intraday analysis—especially following the increased availability of more granular data to market participants—suggests the emergence of more sophisticated algorithmic traders who enhance liquidity provision and contribute to reduced slippage costs for investors and hedgers.