Chinese shares close higher Thursday

Chinese stocks closed higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.1 percent to 3,689.91 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.19 percent higher at 11,471.09 points.

Turnover of stocks covered by these two indices totaled about 2.12 trillion yuan (around 315.68 billion U.S. dollars), up from 2.04 trillion yuan on the previous trading day.

Shares in the photovoltaic, precious metals and computing power leasing sectors led the gains, while coal, banking and brokerage stocks posted notable losses.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 0.87 percent to close at 2,566.8 points on Thursday.

The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 1.38 percent higher on Thursday at 1,546.42 points.

A total of 464 members of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon were decorated with UN medals of peace on Tuesday in recognition of their steadfast commitment to upholding stability in the country's troubled south. The United Nations Medal is an international decoration conferred on members of national contingents for service in joint UN military and police operations, from peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to disaster relief, with its reverse bearing the legend "In the Service of Peace."

The honors were bestowed at a medal parade held at the Chinese peacekeepers' camp in Hanniyah village in southern Lebanon, in tribute to the contingent serving as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

During the ceremony, the commander and the head of the peacekeeping force of UNIFIL reviewed the Chinese troops and presented medals to the peacekeepers.

"At the forefront of conflict, every mission is accompanied by unknown risks. This honor has not come easily. I am excited, but also overwhelmed by a heavy sense of awe. I am well aware that behind this glory lies the unwavering commitment day after day," said Cheng Yuda, member of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent.

The 24th contingent, which includes a multi-functional engineer detachment, a construction engineer detachment and a medical detachment, has been serving the UN mission since December 2025.

Since large-scale conflict erupted along the Lebanon-Israel border in early March this year, Chinese peacekeeping contingent has remained steadfast at their posts, carrying out tasks such as the detection and clearance of unexploded ordnance, road obstacle removal and emergency medical support.

They have also constructed more than 40 defensive projects, shoring up the defensive capabilities of UNIFIL's camp areas.

Beyond their core duties, the peacekeepers have also actively engaged in humanitarian assistance, donating more than 7,000 items and conducting over 30 exchanges and visits with local organizations.

Their engagement builds on a Chinese presence in Lebanon stretching back nearly two decades, with more than 8,800 peacekeepers having served there since 2006.

UNIFIL was first established in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL's mandate was expanded by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israel withdrew its troops.

In August 2025, the Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for the final time until Dec. 31, 2026, with a drawdown and withdrawal to follow within one year.