The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, opened 1.64 percent lower at 1,610.71 points on Friday.

Chinese stocks opened lower on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.95 percent to open at 3,852.09 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 1.1 percent to open at 3,236.37 points Friday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 87.77 points, or 0.35 percent, to open at 24,768.66 points Friday.

Hong Kong's stock market ended lower Thursday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 1.89 percent to close at 24,856.43 points.

Chinese stocks closed lower on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 1.09 percent to 3,889.08 points.

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 145 pips to 6.9056 against the U.S. dollar Thursday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.

NEW YORK, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar strengthened in late trading on Wednesday.The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, went up 0.18 percent to 99.614 at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT).In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.1578 dollars from 1.1569 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound was up to 1.3382 dollars from 1.3366 dollars in the previous session.The U.S. dollar bought 159.28 Japanese yen, higher than 159.14 Japanese yen in the previous session. The U.S. dollar was down to 0.791 Swiss francs from 0.7918 Swiss francs, and it added to 1.3808 Canadian dollars from 1.3783 Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar fell to 9.332 Swedish Kronor from 9.3669 Swedish Kronor.

SEOUL, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Escalated Middle East tensions raised uncertainty over South Korea's financial stability, a central bank report said Thursday.The Bank of Korea (BOK) said in its financial stability report that disruptions to the energy supply chain, caused by the expanded geopolitical risks in the Middle East, could lead to higher energy prices impacting both inflation and economic growth.The central bank noted that a surge in risk-aversion sentiment could heighten volatility in the foreign exchange and the financial markets, stressing that energy-importing countries such as South Korea, which rely heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil, may experience a relatively greater impact.The South Korean won versus U.S. dollar exchange rate, which had significantly fallen by late February, surged this month compared to other major currencies, driven by a strong U.S. dollar amid the spread of risk-aversion sentiment.The domestic stock market, which had rapidly risen, experienced a sharp fall and increased volatility immediately after the Middle East conflict broke out.The BOK cautioned that if the conflict is prolonged, foreign investors' flight to safe-haven assets will be strengthened, restricting the easing of volatility in stock prices and exchange rates.If higher oil prices intensify supply-side inflationary pressures, market interest rates will face greater upward pressure due to growing concerns about global monetary tightening, the BOK added.

Retail oil prices in Cambodia continued to rise further due to the escalation of the Middle East conflict, the Ministry of Commerce said in announcement at Wednesday midnight.

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese stocks opened lower on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.17 percent to open at 3,924.96 points.The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.32 percent lower at 13,756.87 points.

Tokyo stocks ended higher on Wednesday after reports that the United States is making diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Iran, raising hopes that tensions in the Middle East may ease.

Hong Kong's stock market ended higher on Wednesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 1.09 percent to close at 25,335.95 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 2.01 percent to close at 3,316.97 points Wednesday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks closed higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 1.3 percent to 3,931.84 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.95 percent higher at 13,801 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 216.81 points, or 0.87 percent, to open at 25,280.52 points on Wednesday.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 1.1 percent to open at 3,287.17 points Wednesday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks opened higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.28 percent to open at 3,892.27 points. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.98 percent higher at 13,669.05 points.

Hong Kong's stock market ended higher Tuesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 2.79 percent to close at 25,063.71 points.

Hong Kong's stock market ended lower Monday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 3.54 percent to close at 24,382.47 points.