(Yicai Global) June 17 -- A launch ceremony for the Shanghai-London Stock Connect was held today at the London Stock Exchange to mark the official start of operations, according to state broadcaster CCTV. 

A milestone in financial cooperation between the two countries, the link is part of China's capital market reforms and opening-up and is important to the expansion of the UK's financial market.

The start of the long-awaited program, which will enable companies to sell shares via dual listings on the bourses in each city, was delayed from last year.