Chinese shares open up 0.7 percent

Chinese share prices were up 0.74 percent in Thursday morning trade as market sentiment improved after rising for two consecutive days, dealers said.

They said the US Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged and a drop in oil prices would also buoy sentiment, but heavyweight oil majors were hit again by profit taking, limiting overall gains.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, added 21.41 points, or 0.74 percent, to 2,926.42.

The Shanghai A-share index was up 22.35 points, or 0.73 percent, to 3,069.88, while the Shenzhen A-share index gained 12.36 points or 1.41 percent to 891.60.

(Agencies)