Chinese shares close higher as momentum continues

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares Wednesday maintained the momentum that started from the previous day to gain substantially with heavyweights leading the way.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 3.64 percent, or 101.99 points, to 2,905.01 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 4.79 percent, or 456.53 points, to 9,982.18 points.

Combined turnover on the two bourses increased sharply to 103.58 billion yuan (14.8 billion U.S. dollars) on Wednesday, up from 75.61 billion yuan on the previous trading day.