Shenzhen stock through train to debut in second half of this year

Shenzhen Stock Exchange chief executive Song Liping said the stock connect scheme linking the bourse with Hong Kong would debut in the second half of this year as regulators were set to soon grant approval for the through train programme.

"The go-ahead is likely to be given within the first half of this year and the programme will likely be launched in the second half," Song told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

"The trading framework and general preparations have been made while simulated trading will be conducted to test the system after the mainland and Hong Kong regulators officially approve the scheme."

Song's remarks shed light on Premier Li Keqiang's statement in a government report last Thursday, where he said the Hong Kong-Shenzhen stock connect scheme would kick off at an "appropriate time".

The Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges started cross trading shares in November.

Song said the preparatory work for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong stock connection programme could largely be cut short because the legal framework was ready and the experience in the Shanghai-Hong Kong scheme could be used to fast-track preparations.