Chinese shares close higher Friday

Chinese stocks closed higher on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.89 percent to 3,690.48 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 2.78 percent higher at 11,673.83 points.

Turnover of stocks covered by these two indices totaled about 1.96 trillion yuan (around 291.75 billion U.S. dollars), up from 1.53 trillion yuan on the previous trading day.

Shares in robotics and non-bank financial companies led the gains, while electric power and banking stocks were among the biggest losers.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 4.15 percent to close at 2,684.10 points on Friday.

The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 3.68 percent higher on Friday at 1,606.48 points.

China hopes to take German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's upcoming state visit as an opportunity to make greater progress in bilateral relations, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Steinmeier will pay a state visit to China from October 27 to 31.

"German president will visit China again after nearly eight years. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Steinmeier. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will meet with him to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Besides Beijing, President Steinmeier will also visit Anhui Province," said Mao.

"The sound and steady growth of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany, the world's second and third largest economies, not only serves the interests of both countries, but is also what Europe and the world hope to see. The past 54 years since diplomatic ties were established have shown that mutual respect and mutual trust are the bedrock for a stable relationship and mutual benefit the key to success in bilateral cooperation. Our two countries have built strategic consensus through close collaboration and achieved shared prosperity in practical cooperation, delivering tangible benefits to both peoples," she said.

"President Steinmeier, an old friend of the Chinese people, has actively contributed to the development of China-Germany relations. We hope to work with the German side to take this visit as an opportunity to cement mutual trust, deepen cooperation and seek joint innovation, so as to make greater progress in bilateral relations, contribute to steady and sustained growth of China-Europe relations, and bring fresh energy to the world," said the spokeswoman.