Chinese shares fell Friday on uncertainty about an economic recovery, ending the week down 2.9 percent despite Premier Wen Jiabao's pledge that Beijing is ready to expand stimulus spending if needed.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed down 5.03 points, or 0.2 percent, at 2128.85. The Shenzhen Composite Index for China's smaller second exchange lost 0.6 percent to 692.67. Analysts said Wen's comments at a nationally televised news conference were outweighed by concern about data released earlier this week for February that showed trade plunging and consumer prices falling.
�Because the economic outlook is uncertain, the market was perplexed,� said Huang Xiangbin, an analyst for Cinda Securities in Beijing.
Real estate developers gave up gains from Thursday. China Vanke Ltd., the country's biggest developer, fell 1.5 percent to 7.71 yuan and Poly Real Estate Group declined 1 percent to 20.1 yuan.
Baoshan Iron & Steel Ltd., the country's biggest steel producer, swooned 0.6 percent to 5.36 yuan and Jiangxi Copper Ltd. declined by 2 percent to 16.5 yuan.
Coal miners and renewable energy producers jumped as investors sought alternatives to oil producers following an 11 percent jump in the price of global crude futures a day earlier.
Datong Coal Industry Co. added 1 percent to 14.69 yuan and Shenzhen Desay Battery Tech Co., which makes mercury-free batteries, leapt 3.7 percent to 8.49 yuan.
In currency markets, China's yuan strengthened to 6.8379 to the U.S. dollar, up from Thursday's close of 6.83890.
