The Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% to around 3,900, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.4% to 13,600 on Friday as upbeat economic data lifted sentiment. However, both benchmarks are headed for sharp weekly declines as uncertainty over the Middle East conflict persisted, despite US President Donald Trump extending the Iran negotiations deadline by 10 days. Reports that the US may deploy up to 10,000 additional troops to the region further weighed on risk appetite. Markets also tracked upcoming US–China diplomatic engagement, with Trump expected to meet Xi Jinping in May after delays linked to the conflict. Meanwhile, latest data showed China’s industrial profits jumped 15.2% year-on-year in January–February, pointing to improving factory earnings despite external headwinds. Among individual stocks, notable gains were seen in Kweichow Moutai (1.5%) and Zijin Mining (0.8%), while CNOOC (-0.9%), Foxconn Industrial (-1.5%), and Zhongji Innolight (-2.1%) lagged behind.
