Chinese shares edged up modestly on Friday, ending three consecutive sessions' decline, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closing 0.56 percent higher.

 

The key index, which covers both A and B shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, finished up 28.89 points to 5,180.51. It traded between 5,093.13 and 5,187.61.

 

The Shenzhen Component Index, which covers the smaller Shenzhen Stock Exchange, climbed 221.00 points, or 1.23 percent, to 18,131.38.

 

Gains led losses by 510 to 318 in Shanghai and 425 to 208 in Shenzhen. Combined turnover shrank to 183.8 billion yuan (25.3 billion U.S. dollars) from 264.9 billion yuan in the previous session.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2008)