The SSE is a non-profit-making membership institution directly governed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

The SSE provides a transparent, open, safe and efficient marketplace, and facilities for, securities trading. It formulates business rules, accepts and arranges listings, organises and monitors securities trading, regulates members and listed companies, and manages and disseminates market information. After several years' operation, the SSE has become the most preeminent stock market in mainland China in terms of number of listed companies, number of shares listed, total market value, tradable market value, securities turnover in value, stock turnover in value and the T-bond turnover in value.