Shenzhen-HK stock connect expected to start by November: Official

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program is expected to start in mid or late November, an official with the Chinese securities watchdog said Tuesday.

Technical systems and supportive policies are still being prepared, according to Qi Bin, a senior official with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

The CSRC will discuss cross-border supervision and investors' rights with its counterpart in Hong Kong, while stock exchanges, clearing companies and brokerages will be engaged in operational and technical preparations, according to Qi.

The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the new stock connect program earlier this month amid rising anticipation of a new market link. A similar one between the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses was launched in November 2014.

Both programs allow investors to trade selected stocks on each other's exchanges within a maximum trading limit. Around 70 percent of Shenzhen-listed shares and 86 percent of Hong Kong-listed shares are available for trade under the program.

The central authorities have also decided to remove the aggregate trading cap but maintain a daily quota.

Stock connects without the aggregate trading cap will attract more overseas long-term investors, Qi said.

As of Friday, only 4.59 percent and 7.36 percent of the daily quotas for trading on the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses had been used, on average. Endi