Chinese government officials have moved to quash rumors that 30 centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are to be fully listed on the stock market by 2010.

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) has issued a statement saying it did not know how the rumors started, and warning the public against listening to rumors.

Reports have said the 30 enterprises, all giants, such as China National Nuclear Corporation and China Minmetals Corporation, that control the country's strategic resources, would be fully listed before 2010.

The SASAC statement said the listing schedule of each SOE was based on its own business situation and the SASAC had never conducted any studies on full listing or schedules.

So far, 23 central SOEs have listed their main businesses. "We will continue to promote the listing of central enterprises that meet required standards," the watchdog said.

The assets regulator, set up in 2003 to take control of big state companies, has cut the number of major SOEs to 155 by promoting mergers and acquisitions and allowing poorly performing state firms to go bankrupt.