Some of the bigger and better of the more than 200 firms waiting for listing on the second board have given up, turning their attention instead to China's main market.

ECONOMIST: Shelving plans for a high-tech board

China's leaders also worry that launching a second board now could divert funds from the main market at a time when the government is trying to sell stakes in listed state-owned enterprises all part of the government's efforts to raise funds for a system of social security.

ECONOMIST: Shelving plans for a high-tech board