Financial Transaction Lab was co-founded by CELAP, Shanghai Futures Exchange and Xinhua News Agency. On June 10, 2008, CELAP signed a co-operative agreement with Shanghai Futures Exchange. After two months of preparation, the CELAP Financial Transaction Lab was open in September 2008. On November 4, 2008, it signed another co-operative agreement with the Xinhua News Agency, which promises to provide software supporting platform. A lot of financial transaction software has been installed into the lab, enabling it to collect and study information as well as conduct simulation transactions.

The lab’s first-class multi-media information system enables it to carry out interactive teaching between students and teachers. Scenario modeling and simulation system help create a visualized study opportunity for participants. A central control system lifts the efficiency of information usage. Wireless transmission equipment increases flexibility of teaching in the lab. The lab also supports teleconference, courseware recording and simultaneous interpreting.

Being an international financial hub, Shanghai homes to a number of well-known financial units, famous colleges and institutions, providing abundant resources for the teaching of CELAP Financial Transaction Lab. To date, there are more than 100 full-time and part-time faculty members working for the lab.

The lab officially came into operation in December 2008, employing five types of teaching: lectures, cases study, computer simulation, scenario and brainstorming. The current courses include Analysis and Prediction of Chinese Economic and Financial Situation, Financial Innovation and Reform, Development and Prospects of China’s Capital Market, Development of SOEs in Capital Market, Development and Risk Management of China’s Futures Market. It plays an important role for the brand programs of “Modern Financial Management & Innovation” at CELAP.