Hong Kong will not follow Shanghai's approach of proactively suspending trading in a stock when there is any price-sensitive news reported, according to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing head of listing Richard Williams, shown in picture with HKEx chief executive Paul Chow Man-yiu (right) yesterday.

In Hong Kong, companies need to request a suspension, something that came under criticism this week after Lenovo delayed asking for a halt to trading in its stock despite reports about a large placement of its shares.

Mr Williams also confirmed an SCMP report that the suspension period would be shortened substantially once the requirement that companies place notices in newspapers is terminated this year. 'Some people said there should be no suspensions, some say 15 minutes, half hour or an hour. There will be a consultation paper on the timing,' he said. At present, shares are suspended until the newspaper announcement is published the following day, a practice which Mr Williams said is unattractive to international investors.