BEIJING - Preparation for the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock exchange connection is in the final stage, vice chairman of China's securities regulator Yao Gang told a financial forum in Beijing on Thursday.

The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect scheme will allow mutual stock market access for investors and is an important aspect of capital market reform. The scheme was widely expected to be begin on Monday, and the "delayed" frustrated the markets, sending shares related to the scheme nosediving on Monday.

The connect program was first announced in April with a declared six-month preparation period before official launch.

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