THE chairman of China’s securities regulator said yesterday it will take time for trading on the Hong Kong-Shanghai stock link to grow as international investors get familiar with China’s securities rules while regulators improve the program.

    His comments come amid growing pressure from foreign banks and asset managers on Hong Kong and mainland authorities to iron out regulatory and technical wrinkles that have kept many foreign investors away from the Hong Kong-Shanghai stock connect.

    “Two months have passed and we still lack experience, but everything has gone well,” said Xiao Gang, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

    “Global investors are not used to this mechanism. It will still take time for the two sides to get familiar and on this basis, both sides need to work hand in hand to improve this mechanism.”

    Xiao added that investors “need to get familiar with the rules... as we don’t change the two sides’ rules or investor habits.”

    Launched in November, the link lets international investors trade Shanghai shares via Hong Kong’s stock exchange while mainland investors can deal in Hong Kong H shares via the Shanghai exchange. (SD-Agencies)