China stocks edge up, gaming shares fall on new rules

SHANGHAI, Dec 25 (Reuters): China stocks closed slightly higher on Monday in holiday-thinned trade with the Hong Kong market closed for Christmas, although online gaming shares extended the previous session's losses after China announced new rules to curb spending on video games.

The blue-chip CSI 300 Index closed up 0.3 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.1 per cent.

China's CSI Anime Comic Game Index slumped 3.4 per cent, adding to a 10 per cent tumble the previous session.

Weak sentiment towards the gaming sector persisted despite a statement from regulators on Saturday that they would make improvements to their proposed rules after "earnestly studying" public views on them.

The proposals, aimed at curbing money and time spent on video games, were a blow to the world's biggest games market and knocked the value of Tencent Holdings, Netease and other gaming stocks.