China's Shanghai Composite was down 0.14% at midday, the Shenzhen Composite fell
0.78% and the ChiNext Index dropped 1.43%. Agriculture led gains: Jinjian Miye,
Denghai Zhongye and Wanxiang Denong hit daily limit-up. Digital-currency plays
strengthened countertrend, with Xinchen Technology and Chutianlong at limit-up.
Consumer names outperformed, Huatian Hotel and Caesar Travel rose to the limit.
Innovative drug sector warmed early; Hansen Pharma, Huasen Pharma and Hainan
Haiyao also hit limit-up. Resources lagged, led by precious-metals and lithium
miners — Guocheng Mining, Shengda Resources and Western Gold among the biggest
decliners. Electronic-chemicals names weakened: Xingfu Electronics fell about
7%, with Aolaide, Sanfu Xinke, Zhongju Xin and Tiancheng Technology following
lower. Semiconductors opened lower; Kangxi Communications plunged near 9%, with
Jiangfeng Electronics, Youyan Silicon, Weidao Nano, and Zhenbao Technology also went down.
