Syria concerns lift military stocks in mixed trading

Stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen were driven apart in late trading Wednesday as investors shrugged off signs of strengthening in China's service sector.

The Shanghai Composite Index picked up 4.51 points, or 0.21 percent, to end at 2,127.62; while the Shenzhen Component Index surrendered 23.08 points, or 0.28 percent, to finish at 8,344.96.

Combined turnover totaled 224.2 billion yuan ($36.61 billion), up from Tuesday's 218.59 billion yuan.

HSBC's purchasing managers' index for the service sector climbed to a five-month high of 52.8 for August, up from a reading of 51.3 for July, Reuters reported Wednesday. This helped both markets crawl back from opening losses, although contractions within the real estate and development sectors left their mark as the day progressed.

Renewed Syria fears supported military related stocks, helping the Shanghai benchmark soldier forward into positive territory in the final hours of trading. Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Co climbed 5.57 percent to 18.56 yuan. Hafei Aviation Industry Co advanced 4.58 percent to 27.65 yuan on the day.

Stocks based in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region scored big as well after the China News Service reported that China plans to establish an economic zone in Kashgar. Eight local stocks hit the 10-percent daily limit, including Xinjiang Joinworld Co and China West Construction Group Co which ended the day at 6.55 yuan and 14.05 yuan respectively.