Chinese shares inch up from 6-month low

Chinese shares slightly climbed on Friday following an eight-day losing streak that saw the key Shanghai index slumping to its lowest level in six months on Thursday. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.64 percent, or 13.69points, to end at 2,162.04, while the Shenzhen Component Index rose 0.56 percent, or 47.03 points, to 8,479.46. Combined turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses shrank to 154.49 billion yuan (25.08 billion U.S. dollars) from 163 billion yuan on the previous trading day. On Thursday, the Shanghai index closed at a six-month low of 2,148.36. The media and entertainment sector led Friday's rises, with the sub-index for the sector up 4.11 percent. Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd. rose 5.05 percent to reach 34.09 yuan per share. The environmental protection industry surged 3.79 percent. Beijing Originwater Technology Co., Ltd. climbed 6.46 percent to close at 41.19 yuan per share. The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, surged 3.78 percent, or 38.87 points, to close at 1,068.15 points on Friday.