The 27-year-old carded a five-under 68 to draw level with Wales' Becky Morgan, who shared the lead after day one.
Georgia Hall of England is a further stroke back  pair while joint overnight leader Melissa Reid hit a one-over 74 to drop back to three under.
Korea's Na Yeon Choi and China's Shanshan Feng share the lead on seven under par in Shanghai.
England's Florentyna Parker is two strokes off the lead after the second day of the Buick Championship in China.