China shares on Tuesday were trying to extend a rally to an eighth straight day and were up at midday, helped by gains for consumer and healthcare firms.
At 04:03 GMT, the Shanghai Composite index was up 2.76 points or 0.08 per cent at 3,412.24.
The blue-chip CSI300 index was up 0.4 per cent, with its financial sector sub-index higher by 0.41 per cent.
The consumer staples sector rose 2.92 per cent, the real estate index down 0.6 per cent, healthcare sub-index up 1.19 per cent.
The yuan was quoted at 6.502 per US dollar, 0.06 per cent weaker than the previous close of 6.4984.
The largest percentage gainer in the main Shanghai Composite index was Shanghai Jiaoda Onlly Co Ltd up 10.06 per cent.
The largest percentage loss in the Shanghai index was Jiangsu Protruly Vision Technology Group Co Ltd down 4.97 per cent.