Green Investing and Financial Education: The Case of China’s A-Share Market

Financial inclusion is crucial in promoting economic development and reducing poverty in rural China. However, individuals in rural areas face various barriers to financial inclusion, including limited access to financial institutions and services, lack of financial literacy and documentation, and low income levels. This study aimed to explore the barriers to financial inclusion faced by individuals in rural areas of China and to investigate the effectiveness of online learning platforms in promoting financial inclusion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 participants from rural areas in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sichuan, and Henan Provinces. The findings suggest that limited access to financial institutions and services, lack of financial literacy and education, lack of documentation, and low income are key barriers to financial inclusion in rural areas of China. Online learning platforms have helped address some of these barriers by providing access to financial education and literacy resources and convenient access to financial services. However, challenges such as poor Internet connectivity and a lack of support from program administrators have also been reported. This study highlights the importance of addressing rural populations’ unique needs and challenges to promote financial inclusion in China. This finding suggests that collaboration between financial institutions and online learning platforms can create effective financial inclusion programs for the rural population.