PRESS DIGEST - China - MARCH 20

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, March 20 (Reuters) - Chinese newspapers available in Beijing and Shanghai carried the following stories on Thursday. Reuters has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

CHINA SECURITIES JOURNAL

-- Regulators could consider allowing foreign companies or their joint ventures in China to float shares on the domestic stock market, China's central bank proposed in a report on international financial markets.

SHANGHAI SECURITIES NEWS

-- China's State Council has issued a circular on the government's Web site encouraging qualified financial Chinese institutions to provide financial backing for Chinese firms operating globally.

SECURITIES TIMES

-- Datang Telecom Technology (600198.SS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said its controlling shareholder has no plans for a major asset restructuring or a listing of all its assets on the stock market in the next six months, clarifying an earlier media report.

CHINA BUSINESS NEWS

-- Diesel is in short supply in several provinces in south China, including Guangdong, Yunnan and Hainan.