(Yicai Global) July 19 --   China's mainland stock markets were up more than 1 percent before  lunch, but trading volume was light, as investors positioned themselves  to get ready for the first trading day of Shanghai's new Nasdaq-style  market on July 22.

The Shanghai  Composite Index rose 1 percent to 2,930.58 before the lunch bell. The  Shenzhen  Component Index moved 1.2 percent higher to 9,260.88. The  ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen,  advanced 1.2 percent to 1,542.62. 

Editor: Emmi Laine