Chinese shares edge up 0.77 percent at midday

Chinese share prices edged up 0.77 percent by midday Thursday as gains in overseas markets and a further drop in oil prices boosted the market, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, rose 21.75 points to finish the morning at 2,859.60.

"Investor sentiment has been largely improved by the gains in the US stock market overnight and the robust regional markets yesterday," Zhang Yang at Orient Securities told Dow Jones Newswires.

The Shanghai A-share index was up 22.86 points, or 0.77 percent, at 2,999.75 points, while the Shenzhen A-share index gained 7.89 points, or 0.89 percent, at 895.38.

(Agencies)