BEIJING, Sept. 15 -- A new stock trading program that will link Shanghai and Hong Kong's exchanges has completed the second round of trading tests, paving the way for its official launch.

The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, a pilot program designed to allow mutual stock market access for investors in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, conducted a new round of tests during the past weekend, the Shanghai Securities News reported Monday.

On Saturday, the Shanghai Stock Exchange tested the system's performance under different trading simulations. A total of 94 members participated in the test and no major problems were reported.

This successful test and the first one in late August show Shanghai's trading system is technologically ready for official launch, the report said.

The Hong Kong stock exchange said Sunday that its second test had also proved successful.

The program was first announced in April 2014 aiming at enabling investors of both markets to trade designated shares listed in each other's market.

A joint circular released by both bourses in April said there would be a six-month preparation period before official launch of the scheme.