China stocks boosted by builders

Statistics bureau says profit growth at industrial firms accelerated last month

China's State-backed builders extended a rally on Tuesday while energy firms dropped, amid thin year-end trading in the world's second-biggest stock market.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.3 percent lower at 3,114.66. China Gezhouba Group Co and Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co rose, while the coal miner Guanghui Energy Co slipped. The Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.1 percent. Hong Kong's markets were closed as the city wrapped up a four-day holiday weekend.