China's top construction firm, China State Construction Engineering Corp., aims to float shares on mainland stock markets by March 2008, a senior executive with its listed real estate arm said on Thursday.

China Overseas Land and Investment Ltd. -- the country's biggest listed property developer -- will postpone its own plan to list domestic A shares, Kong Qingping, chairman of the listed firm, told reporters in Shenzhen.

"Preparations have begun and the company aims to list before March," Kong said, adding that assets now held by the listed firm should be included in its parent's overall listing.

China State Construction controls real estate, infrastructure and construction businesses with a collective turnover of 117 billion yuan ($15.2 billion) in 2006. ($1=7.676 Yuan)