SHANGHAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - A senior official of the Shanghai
Stock Exchange said on Thursday that stock index futures would be
launched "soon".
Zhou Qinye, executive vice president of the exchange, was
speaking at a financial forum.
He did not elaborate on the timing of the launch, but added
that starting trade in the futures might initially increase
selling pressure on the cash market.
China's introduction of the futures has been delayed for
about a year, partly because of concern that it could destabilise
the stock market.
But top securities regulator Shang Fulin said last week that
preparations had largely been completed, and that conditions for
the launch were becoming mature.
((Reporting by George Chen, editing by Dominic Whiting;
[email protected]; (8621) 6104-1761))
Keywords: CHINA STOCKS/FUTURES