On January 8, 2026, the three major A-share indices kicked off the trading session on a downbeat note, all opening lower. The Shanghai Composite Index dipped by 0.2%, while the Shenzhen Component Index took a more significant hit, dropping 0.42%. The ChiNext Index wasn't spared either, declining by 0.63%.

In terms of sectoral performance, the securities, retail, and precious metals sectors emerged as the main draggers. Hualin Securities led the decline in the securities sector, tumbling 5%. Shanghai Jiubai in the retail sector saw its shares drop over 4%, and Zijin Mining in the precious metals sector wasn't far behind, with a decline exceeding 1%.

On the flip side, the shipping, pharmaceutical, and internet sectors shone brightly, posting the strongest gains. China Merchants Energy Shipping in the shipping sector soared over 5%, Guangji Pharmaceutical in the pharmaceutical sector increased by more than 4%, and Yanshan Technology in the internet sector gained over 2%.

In other news, eight departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, jointly released the Implementation Opinions on the Special Action Plan for 'Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing.' This plan sets an ambitious goal: by 2027, it aims to ensure a secure and reliable supply of key AI core technologies.

Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imported dichlorosilane from Japan. This material is widely utilized in chip production, and the investigation could have significant implications for the industry.