(Yicai Global) Jan. 3 -- China's three main stock benchmarks closed mixed today, and all were lower than their opening. Gold stocks swam against the tide as the conflict between USA and Iran started to boil over.

The Shanghai Composite Index inched down 0.05 percent to 3,083.79. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.17 percent higher at 10,656.41. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks Shenzhen-listed growth enterprises, rose 0.18 percent to 1,836.01.

Gold shares increased 2.73 percent on average, followed by agriculture stocks with 1.51 percent growth.

Editor: Ben Armour