The difference in the share prices of Chinese companies listed in both Shanghai and Hong Kong has narrowed dramatically in recent weeks and may disappear if the Chinese economy proves resilient in the slowdown.

The A shares of companies traded in Shanghai or Shenzhen were on average 16.1 per cent higher than the H shares of the same 56 companies listed in Hong Kong, compared with 44 per cent in early December and a peak of 108.1 per cent on 16 January 2008, according to the Hang Seng China AH Premium Index.