SHANGHAI: China’s blue chips closed higher on Thursday, led by real estate developers after three firms unveiled plans to issue domestic bonds, while analysts said Beijing would continue its deleveraging campaign in the sector despite policy tweaks.

The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.3% to 4,856.16, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1% to 3,573.84.

Real estate developers gained 2%. Three Chinese developers plan to sell bonds in China to raise a combined 18 billion yuan ($2.83 billion).

Analysts said this shows Beijing is marginally easing liquidity strains on the cash-strapped sector.

But China’s property sector downturn is expected to continue into the first half of 2022, with home prices and sales falling as tight credit policies and a looming property tax dampen demand, a Reuters poll showed.

“We expect the government to take further steps to stabilise the sector,” Fitch Ratings said in a note.

“However, any further policy loosening will be measured, given the government’s clear intent to see deleveraging in the sector and curb speculative demand.”

Automobiles finished up 1.7%, while construction engineering shares jumped 2.1%.

The media sub-index and the photovoltaic industry sub-index lost 2.1% and 1.5%, respectively.