Trading in Treasury bond futures may be resumed, after an 18-year suspension, to speed up liberalization of interest rates, the Shanghai Securities Journal reported on Wednesday.

The State Council has approved a plan for the resumption although a specific date has not been announced, the report said.

China launched T-bond futures trading in 1992 but suspended it in 1995 amid excessive speculation and illegal deals.

Analysts said current market conditions are beneficial for the resumption of T-bond futures trading.

The resumption will help China's financial markets expand bond inventories under improved securities regulations, analysts said.