Earlier headlines are here: MSCI expects to include China stocks in its global indices

  • and here: MSCI & China shares: "Could pull the plug on the A-share rally in the short-term"
  • ... and ... MSCI says minimum of 12 mths b/w announcement & implementation for China index inclusion

The Wall Street Journal is up with its take now too: China Moves Closer to Joining MSCI's Widely Tracked Emerging Markets Index

The article is gated, but in brief (bolding is mine):

  • China is closer to joining MSCI Inc.'s widely tracked Emerging Markets Index
  • MSCI said a few important remaining issues related to market accessibility must be resolved, and the shares can be added once that review is complete, even outside the regular schedule of its annual market classification review.
  • Some money managers were skeptical about adding China A-shares now, citing limitations set by China on the amount of investments foreigners have in the A-share market, as well as other technical issues around settlement and custody through a new trading link with Hong Kong.
  • One hurdle remains the limited access to the Shenzhen market ... For now, foreign investors can't access the Shenzhen market without a quota, as China is yet to announce a similar link between that market and Hong Kong