hong kong is ready to launch yuandenominated stock trading to cater to investors in shanghai and shenzhen with final clearances from regulators in mainland china expected in the second half of the year according to people familiar with the matter the city’s own infrastructure is largely ready to accommodate trading of shares in the chinese currency via the southbound stock connect link but bourses in the mainland and clearing houses need more time for testing and final preparations according to people familiar with the matter who asked not be named discussing confidential information the process is being slowed by the pandemic situation and lockdown in shanghai the people said