BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares opened higher Friday with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.05 percent to open at 3,217.19 points.

    The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.33 percent to open at 13,247.65 points.

    Shang Fulin, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission said Thursday at a meeting that China would launch margin trading at a "proper time", continue reform on its new share issuance system and step up development of ChiNext.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis