China stocks at one-month high after central bank holds rates, new market rules

SHANGHAI: China stocks rose to one-month highs on Monday, while Hong Kong shares also gained, as evidence of the country’s economic resilience and fresh market-friendly policies bolstered investor sentiment, while traders kept a wary eye on the developments in the Middle East.

The blue-chip CSI300 Index rose 0.5% by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.7%, both hitting one-month highs.

Shenzhen’s Chinext Composite Index flirted with record highs.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.8%, joining a rally in Asian markets.

Investors remain optimistic toward a US-Iran deal, even as concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate.

“At this moment, investors should pay more attention to investment opportunities in Chinese manufacturing sectors,” Orient Securities said in a report.

“In the backdrop of unprecedented demand for energy security, China’s globally competitive new energy sector is undoubtedly the core investment theme.”

Reflecting economic resilience, China on Monday left benchmark loan prime rates unchanged for the 11th consecutive month in April, following solid economic growth at the start of the year.

China’s securities regulator on Friday broadened the types of strategic investors in companies’ additional share sales, revamped fund managers’ incentive system and cracked down on illegal share sales by major shareholders.

Technology shares, including satellite, electronics and chipmaking, led gains in China on Monday.

Artificial Intelligence stocks rose after news that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is in talks with investors to raise at least $300 million at a valuation of $10 billion.

Robotics stocks rose after a half-marathon race on Sunday highlighted the sector’s rapid technical advances.‑Reuters