China stocks close higher Wednesday

BEIJING -- Chinese stocks closed higher on Wednesday, as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index increased 0.40 percent, or 8.29 points, to close at 2,067.83.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 8,431.74, up 0.50 percent, or 41.59 points.

Combined turnover contracted to 88.98 billion yuan ($14.04 billion) from 89.2 billion yuan on the previous day's trading.

Gainers outnumbered losers by 736 to 177 in Shanghai and by 1,221 to 251 in Shenzhen.

Technology stocks led the gains as the Ministry of Science and Technology announced its plans to push forward development of broadband, cloud technology and navigation services.

Shenzhen Seg Co Ltd, Routon Electronic Co Ltd and GCI Science & Technology Co Ltd, among others, rose by the daily limit to close at 4.25 yuan, 4.73 yuan and 12.87 yuan respectively.

Non-ferrous stocks traded higher with Zhongjin Gold Co Ltd, China's second-largest gold producer by market value, jumping 8.54 percent to 17.79 yuan. The Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd rose 6.72 percent to 41.58 yuan.