Lawton Development : China shares end up as investors keep the faith despite Trump's mixed trade signals

Chinese shares rose on Thursday, lifted by renewed hopes that China and the United States may be closer to a "phase one" trade deal to end a bitter tariff war that has dragged on since the middle of last year.

** At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.74% at 2,899.47. It has gained 1.48% since hitting more than three-month lows on Tuesday.

** The blue-chip CSI300 index <.CSI300> was up 0.77%, with its financial sector sub-index <.CSI300FS> higher by 0.74%, the consumer staples sector <.CSI000912> up 0.24%, the real estate index <.CSI000952> down 0.11% and the healthcare sub-index <.CSI300HC> up 0.96%.

** U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with China were going "very well," a day after spooking markets by saying a deal might have to wait until after the 2020 presidential election.

** But a harsh response from Chinese officials and state media to the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Uighur Act of 2019, which calls for a tougher response to Beijing's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority, illustrates continued uncertainty in the countries' relationship.

** China warned passage of the bill would affect bilateral cooperation, clouding prospects for a near-term deal to end the trade war.

** The smaller Shenzhen index ended up 1.15% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was higher by 2.154%.

** Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index <.MIAPJ0000PUS> was 0.58% firmer, while Japan's Nikkei index <.N225> closed up 0.71%.

** At 07:15 GMT, the yuan was quoted at 7.047 per U.S. dollar, 0.05% firmer than the previous close of 7.0508.

** The largest percentage gainers in the main Shanghai Composite index were Shanghai Wanye Enterprises Co Ltd, up 10.01%, followed by Qingdao Topscomm Communication Inc , gaining 10.01% and WG Tech JiangXi Co Ltd, up by 10.01%.

** The largest percentage losses in the Shanghai index were Shanghai Chuangli Group Co Ltd down 10.02%, followed by Shanghai Beite Technology Co Ltd losing 7.06% and Shenzhen Geoway Co Ltd which fell 5.17%.

** So far this year, the Shanghai stock index is up 16.3% and the CSI300 has risen 28.9%, while China's H-share index listed in Hong Kong is up 1.9%. Shanghai stocks have risen 0.96% this month.

(Reporting by Andrew Galbraith; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)