Leo Zhang/Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai shares closed flat yesterday despite a media report saying six government agencies pledged to boost cooperation in improving corporate governance at mainland-listed companies.
The Shanghai Composite Index, which groups yuan-denominated A shares and hard-currency B shares, edged up 0.05 percent to 1,100.65. The A-share index nudged up 0.06 percent to 1,157.09 while the B-share index inched 0.03 percent higher to 60.35.
"The talks by government departments couldn't give a shot in the arm to Chinese stocks as investors had been used to such promises," said Chang Wei, a GF Securities Co trader. "They're waiting for concrete incentives, such as more compensation to be distributed during the share-structure reform."
The China Securities Regulatory Commission will join hands with five other state agencies to implement the State Council's decision to boost corporate governance and spur earnings growth at publicly traded firms, the China Securities Journal reported, citing officials at separate government departments.
The agencies involved are the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, State Administration of Taxation and State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the report said.
China's Cabinet last week urged major shareholders at listed companies to repay debt they owe to publicly traded units by end of next year as the country moves to bolster corporate standards.
Public companies were also encouraged to offer top executives stock options to boost their management performance.