* China Mobile, CNOOC seen as likely listing candidates

* JP Morgan sees a handful of foreign listings within 12 mths

* NASDAQ, NYSE Euronext express interest in listing (Adds comments from stock exchange official)

BEIJING, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The first red-chip and foreign companies could list shares on the Shanghai stock exchange next year, Jing Ulrich, chairman of China equities at J.P. Morgan, said on Monday.

Red chips are Chinese companies that have their business on the mainland but are incorporated outside China and listed on overseas bourses, usually Hong Kong. They are currently prohibited from selling shares inside mainland China.

"Within the next 12 months there should be at least a handful of red chip companies or foreign companies listed in Shanghai," Ulrich told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.

She mentioned China Mobile (0941.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) and CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) as red chips that might sell shares in Shanghai.

Asked about the attitude of Chinese regulators, Ulrich said: "There is strong support for this initiative and I think the conditions are ripe."

She said listings by red chips and foreign companies would open up new choices for Chinese investors and allow foreign companies to tap into a market with ample liquidity.