Dai Qian/Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai shares edged up yesterday, the last trading day before Chinese New Year, led by the rebound of sectors including real estate and retail, which have lost much last year.
The Shanghai Composite Index, which groups both yuan-dominated A shares and hard-currency B shares, inched up 0.48 percent to 1,258.05. The A-share index added 0.47 percent to 1,318.91 while the B-share index gained 1.03 percent to 86.51.
Real estate counter Gemdale Corporation, the top gainer, jumped 7.3 percent to 7.2 yuan (89 US cents). The stock has lost about 25 percent in 2005.
Shanghai Jinqiao Export Processing Zone Development Co Ltd surged 6.94 percent to 5.7 yuan, followed by Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co Ltd which rose 6.85 percent to 7.02 yuan.
Shanghai New Huangpu Real Estate Co Ltd, one of the developers of the Shanghai Bund de Rockefeller Group project, also added 2.61 percent to 4.72 yuan.
"Unlike telecommunication companies, the undervalued real estate sector didn't rise much in recent weeks. Now it's probably their turn to rise," said Chen Qun, an analyst at West China Securities Co.
Retailers were also sought after, for example, Dashang Group Co Ltd which rose the most at 5.79 percent to 17.92 yuan.
Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co Ltd gained 4.25 percent to 32.11 yuan.
Hualian Supermarket Co Ltd, one of the supermarket chains under Shanghai Brilliance (Group) Co Ltd, rose 3.29 percent to 4.4 yuan.
"Holidays like the Chinese New Year are the perfect time for retailers to generate higher sales by introducing discounts and sending gift cards to attract as many consumers as possible," said Lin Li, an analyst at Xiangcai Securities Co.
The market will be closed from today and resumes trading on February 6. The Chinese Year of the Dog starts on Sunday.