DALIAN, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Shang Fulin, head of China's securities market watchdog, said Thursday that the preparations for setting up stock-index futures have been basically finished.

    Shang, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), said preparations in terms of technology and mechanism are near completion, but investors still need to get prepared.

    He did not give a specific date for putting the futures into operation, only noting that it will debut "when the conditions are ripe."

    Shang made the remarks at the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions hosted by the World Economic Forum in China's northeastern coastal city of Dalian.

    The stock-index futures is usually used as a tool against drastic fluctuations in the stock market.

U.S. confirms B-52 bomber mistake

[China]  Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Australia

[World]  Three terrorist suspects arrested in Germany

[Business]  Davos meeting to kick off in NE China

[Popular] Men like pretty women, women selective

[Entertainment] Halle Berry: "Yes, I am pregnant"