(Yicai Global) May 21 -- China's mainland stock markets lost most of their opening gains in the morning session, with the two main board benchmarks closing almost flat at lunch.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended the morning 0.05 percent higher at 2,885.20, while the Shenzhen Component Index was at 10,944.53, down 0.04 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, closed up 0.46 percent at 2,127.87.

Firms in the medical, food and liquor sectors led the market, with leading distiller Kweichow Moutai [SHA:600519], which has the highest share price among Chinese mainland listed firms, closing 1.08 percent higher at CNY1,365.60 (USD190.92) and setting a record high for the third time this week.

Editor: James Boynton