(Yicai Global) May 18 -- China's mainland stock markets closed jumbled this afternoon as firms in traditional industries took the lead while tech sectors were left behind.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.24 percent higher at 2,875.42. The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 10,921.15 at the finish, down 0.4 percent and the ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, dropped 0.44 percent to 2,114.86.

The non-ferrous metal sector led the charge as steady surges of gold and rare earth prices spurred miners. Several of these firms hit the 10 percent daily price ceiling, including China Minmetals Rare Earth [SHE:000831] and Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining [SHA:600988].

Shares in the food and liquor sectors also shined. Leading distiller Kweichow Moutai [SHA:600519], which has the highest share price in Chinese markets, hit a new high of CNY1,351.50 (USD190) during the afternoon session with a nearly 3 percent gain.

Editor: Ben Armour