China stocks close higher on Wednesday

Chinese shares closed higher on Wednesday, led by instrument makers and the media sector.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.64 percent, or 13.45 points, to finish at 2,106.35. The Shenzhen Component Index added 0.86 percent, or 68.94 points, to finish at 8,096.37.

Wednesday's trading volume is still small, although total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses grew slightly to 146.52 billion yuan (23.96 billion US dollars) from 140.84 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

Instrument makers were the day's biggest winners, with the sub-index for the sector rising 3.64 percent. Jiangsu Skyray Instrument Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Maxonic Automation Control Co., Ltd. both grew by the daily limit of 10 percent.

The media and entertainment industry also posted gains, with its sub-index up 3.60 percent. Huayi Brothers Media Corp. added 1.3 percent to end at 28.78 yuan per share. Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd. rose 3.62 percent to 38.60 yuan.

Pharmaceutical companies were among the day's biggest losers, as news about infant deaths following hepatitis B vaccinations weighed on the industry. Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Corp. fell by the daily limit of 10 percent. Jiangsu Lianhuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. lost 3.02 percent to end at 10.92 yuan.

The ChiNext Index, a Nasdaq-style board tracking China's growth enterprises, extended gains by 2.35 percent to close at 1,288.34 points on Wednesday following a 1.29 percent rise on Tuesday.