Chinese mainland stock markets will resume trading on Monday after closing on Thursday and Friday as China celebrated the anniversary of the end of World War II.
Major mainland stock indexes managed to bounce back from steep losses Wednesday to end almost flat as fresh supportive measures from brokerages eased investor fears that China may be intensifying a crackdown on illegal margin financing.
The CSI300 index of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose 0.1 percent to 3,365.83 points, while the Shanghai -Composite Index lost 0.2 percent to end at 3,160.17 points.
Both indexes had tumbled more than 4 percent in morning trading.
The market had been weighed down by news that China's securities regulators had urged brokerages to clean up "grey market" margin lending by the end of September, as China pursues steps to backstop the country's tumbling stock markets.
The crackdown on margin financing since mid-June has already driven money out of the stock market, and the cleanup deadline would accelerate the money outflow, said Liu Jingde, an analysts at Cinda Securities in Beijing.
He said the fresh supportive measures were insufficient to boost -market sentiment and lure new investors.
On Wednesday, a number of Chinese brokerages, including Guotai -Junan Securities Co, Changjiang Securities and Pacific Securities pledged additional funds to buy shares, answering fresh government calls to support the wobbly market.
Small caps fell sharply on Wednesday, with Shenzhen's growth board ChiNext slumping 2.8 percent.
But banking and infrastructure stocks shares pared early losses and ended the session higher, amid speculation that government-backed investors intervened.
Hong Kong stock fell for a third straight session on Friday as investors squared positions ahead of a key monthly US jobs report.
The Hang Seng Index ended the day 0.5 percent lower at 20,840.61, its lowest close since July 9, 2013.
The China Enterprises Index lost 1.4 percent on the day, falling to 9,169.59 points, also its lowest close since July 9, 2013.
The index fell 6 percent for the week, and has suffered four straight weekly drops.
