Hong Kong’s stock market may delay the implementation of the “no trading during typhoons” policy until at least the end of this year or early next year, according to local media reports. Financial Secretary and Treasury Secretary Paul Chan responded by stating that the timeline remains clear and unchanged, with details of the implementation set to be announced in the middle of this year, denying any delay.
Speaking after an event on the 20th, Paul Chan emphasized that the relevant arrangements will be put in place when the market is ready. The policy details cover various aspects such as front-end trading, back-end settlement, and arrangements for brokers, all of which require time to implement.
Furthermore, Paul Chan noted that Hong Kong is an international market and an open financing platform, with the local fundraising market always being attractive. Over the past period, both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Commission have dealt with numerous listing company applications.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange launched a public consultation last November on trading arrangements during severe weather conditions, with the consultation period ending on January 26th this year. The consultation document mentioned that the “no trading during typhoons” policy would require 6 months of preparation, potentially taking effect as early as July of this year.