China, Hong Kong stocks inch higher on boost from aerospace and energy shares

SHANGHAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Mainland China and Hong Kong stocks moved between gains and losses before ending slightly higher on Thursday, as advances in aerospace and energy shares helped offset declines in non-ferrous metals after gold fell amid easing geopolitical worries.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland, ruled out the use of force, and suggested that a deal was in sight to end a dispute over the Danish territory that risked the deepest rupture in transatlantic relations in decades.

At the close, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index .SSEC advanced 0.14%, while the blue-chip CSI300 Index .CSI300 inched up 0.01%.

Aerospace .CSI399959 and energy .CSI000908 shares were among the biggest winners, with sub-indexes tracking the two sectors jumping 3.41% and 2.33%, respectively.

Non-ferrous metal shares fell, with a sub-index tracking the sector .CSI000811 losing 0.78%. Western Region Gold 601069.SS plunged 4%.

Stock consolidation came after Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges each took regulatory measures over the past week against hundreds of abnormal trading practices, such as price pumping and false orders. The bourses also launched probes into several listed companies over allegedly misleading statements.

The measures reflect regulators' intention to slow the pace of market gains.

William Bratton, head of cash equity research for APAC at BNP Paribas Exane, said the firm remains positive on Chinese equities in 2026, favoring materials, industrials and technology over consumer sectors in line with earnings and economic data.

Britain and China will aim to revive a "golden era" business dialogue when Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing next week, sources told Reuters, with top company executives from both sides invited to participate.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI climbed 0.17%, while the city's tech shares .HSTECH rose 0.28%.