BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- China's top securities regulator said Friday that it welcomes MSCI's decision to significantly increase the weight of A-shares in its global indexes.

The move represents international investors' recognition of China's efforts in reforming and opening up its capital market as well as a vote of confidence in the country's stable and healthy economic development, Chang Depeng, spokesperson of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), told a press conference.

Chang made the remarks while commenting on MSCI's decision to increase the weight of the yuan-denominated A-shares in its indexes. The global index provider plans to raise the inclusion factor from 5 percent to 20 percent in three stages this year.

Chang said the CSRC welcomes long-term overseas capital to invest in the country's domestic capital market.

The commission will continue to improve the capital market infrastructure and cross-border trading mechanisms, enhance regulation and promote further opening-up of the domestic equity market and other derivative markets, he said.