HK-Shenzhen connect launch date announcement delayed: sources

Hong Kong

THE announcement of the launch date of the landmark Hong Kong-Shenzhen stock market link is on hold due to technical issues, putting at risk China's pledge to have the scheme ready by year-end, three sources familiar with the situation said.

Global funds and other industry participants had been expecting regulators to announce in May a launch date for the Shenzhen trading link, which will complement an existing scheme connecting Hong Kong with Shanghai. A delay beyond August risks pushing the Shenzhen project into 2016 and would cause a setback to Chinese regulators who have been gunning for a 2015 start.