SHANGHAI, Jan 7 (Reuters) – China extended gains into its sixth session on Thursday, with the blue-chip index settling at a 13-year high, backed by the consumer and financial sectors .
** In the end, the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.71% at 3,576.20. The CSI300 blue-chip index rose 1.77% at 5,513.66, the strongest close since January 2008. ** Gains were driven by the consumer and finance sectors, with the sub-indices climbing 1.58% and 1.02%, respectively. ** Shenzhen index finished less down 0.08% and ChiNext Composite index closed the starting table 1.519% higher. ** Market support was also backed by the central bank’s commitment to maintain monetary policy. The People’s Bank of China said Wednesday it would make its monetary policy flexible, focused and appropriate in 2021, with a focus on supporting small companies as the economy recovers.
** Around the region, MSCI’s stock index in Asia outside Japan was weaker by 0.56%, while Japan’s Nikkei index closed 1.6%. ** So far this year, Shanghai stock index is up 3% and CSI300 is up 5.8%, while China H-share index listed in Hong Kong is up 0.7% . Shanghai stocks have risen 2.97% this month. (Reciting by Winni Zhou and Andrew Galbraith; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Subhranshu Sahu)