Strong gains in consumer shares lead rises

China stock extended rises on Wednesday led by strong gains in consumer shares.

The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.22 percent to 2,898.05 points, while the smaller Shenzhen Component Index advanced 0.54 percent to end at 11,074.59 points.

The ChiNext Composite Index, meanwhile, jumped 0.78 percent to 2,140.68 points and the blue chip CSI300 Index closed 0.2 percent higher at 3,968.25 points.

Total trade volume on the two major bourses continued to shrink, adding up to 581.5 billion yuan (US$8.25 billion) compared with 599.3 billion yuan in the previous session.

The Chinese mainland saw a net influx of 205 million yuan via the Stock Connect schemes linking Shanghai and Shenzhen with Hong Kong.

Stocks of 80 listed companies surged by over 9 percent, while five declined by as much.

The medical industry led the rises. Shanghai Kinetic Medical Co, ChongQing Zhengchuan Pharmaceutical Packaging Co and Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co all hit the daily limit of 10 percent.

Food and beverage shares extended the growth, with Anji Foodstuff Co, Sichuan Teway Food Group Co and YouYou Foods Co all soaring by the 10 percent cap.

Liquor firms, medical equipment companies and shares related to the dairy industry were all big gainers.

Among the 102 firms on the STAR Market, 73 closed higher while the rest retreated. Shenzhen Lifotronic Technology gained the most by 19.83 percent, while Anji Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Co shed 3.95 percent to become the biggest decliner.