Chinese shares rise on Friday, led by liquor stocks

BEIJING - Chinese stocks closed higher on Friday, reversing the downward trend seen over the last two trading days.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.21 percent to hit 3,591.84 points, and the Shenzhen Component Index inched up 0.74 percent to 14,870.91 points.

The combined turnover of stocks covered by the two indices was 937.5 billion yuan ($146.32 billion), down from 955.8 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Shares related to baijiu (distilled spirits) and lithium batteries saw strong performances, while those related to oil, coal and digital currency led the decline.

Gansu Huangtai Wine-Marketing Industry Co Ltd rose by 10 percent, and liquor maker Sichuan Swellfun Co Ltd climbed 7.02 percent.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, gained 1.28 percent to close at 3,242.61 points on Friday.