(Yicai Global) Aug. 5 -- China's mainland stock markets began the day lower this morning but the semiconductor sector surged with the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Star 50 Index climbing more than 1.5 percent.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.25 percent lower at 3,363.33. The Star 50 index was up 1.68 percent to 1,592.39 after sliding 3.50 percent yesterday.

The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 13,859.32, down 0.01 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, fell 0.23 percent to 2,826.41.

Editor: Emmi Laine