Mainland access Hong Kong's Stock Connect program allows firms to take advantage of liquidity from mainland China for easier financing and higher valuations, but to qualify they must conduct a majority of their annual trading in the Chinese finance hub. Alibaba is among a category of "innovative" Chinese firms with weighted voting rights or variable interest entities that would be eligible for dual-primary listing in Hong Kong, following a rule change by the bourse in January. Analyst Willer Chen, at Forsyth Barr Asia, told Bloomberg that the move would be "massive" for Alibaba, adding that inclusion in Stock Connect could lead to a "more diversified investor base". Beijing has opposed an attempt by US regulators to inspect the audit papers of Chinese firms listed there, and Alibaba is one of 250 companies facing potential removal if no deal is reached.