China Securities Regulatory Commission vice-chairman Fang Xinghai said China will expand the trading quota and the number of eligible shares for the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock link.
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Hong Kong’s vociferous home support arrived unfurling banners declaring “Hong Kong is not China” and, as has become custom, jeered the Chinese national anthem long and hard. After the game kicked off, China took possession of the ball for most time but failed to create enough opportunities in the box area, with Hong Kong playing counter-attack tactics.
Hong Kong and China fans will be kept completely separate at their crunch World Cup qualifier Tuesday, using different entrances and even different toilets as organisers try to head off tensions following last year’s pro-democracy rallies.
With the Asian Football Confederation reeling from Monday’s news that one of its pillars, Nepal’s Ganesh Thapa, had been banned for 10 years for taking money during FIFA elections, Asia’s best tried to switch focus back to onfield events but other issues were evident.
“I urge fans to stay calm… show your sporting spirit”, said Mr Leung.
While China can still finish second if it wins its remaining matches against the Maldives and group front runner Qatar, the points it has lost so far mean it will struggle to be among the four best runners-up.
In addition, since 2000, Hong Kong and Taipei have held three inter-city forums, Ko said, adding that he is hoping a fourth one would be held sometime in the future. About 500 away fans are expected.
Australia now has 15 points from six games in Group B.
Elsewhere evergreen striker Tim Cahill hit a hat-trick as Australia fired all four of their goals past Bangladesh in the first half in a match played under heavy security following safety warnings in Dhaka.
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Thai fans will be closely watching events in Kaohsiung, where hosts Taiwan can put them into the next round if they avoid defeat to Iraq in Group F.
