New link to Shenzhen is almost ready

Combination with HK and Shanghai to create integrated market joining up investors

Connectivity testing and market rehearsals to verify the technical readiness for the soon-to-be-launched stock trading link between Shenzhen and Hong Kong were completed over the weekend, marking almost the final step in a prolonged process expected to pave the way for the second cross-border stock "through train".

The official rollout is projected to come in mid-November, nearly two years after the milestone launch of a link with Shanghai. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) chief executive officer Charles Li Xiaojia said previously that it will take roughly two weeks to formally kick off the stock connect after the completion of final testing and preparatory work.