BEIJING, Aug. 12-- China's securities watchdog on Friday reaffirmed that the stock markets in Shenzhen and Hong Kong will be linked later his year.

The Shenzhen-HK Stock Connect will be launched at a proper time this year after the regulatory rules and technological preparations are completed, said Deng Ge, a spokesperson for the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

A special work group has been established, and supervisors and exchanges are in close cooperation, according to Deng.

The remarks came amid rising market expectations for the new connecting program. China announced the launch in its government work report early this year.

The program is expected to expand overseas investors' exposure to China's onshore stock market.

A similar link between the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses was launched in 2014. It allows investors on the mainland and those in Hong Kong to trade selected stocks on each other's exchanges.