Chinese equities edge up

China stocks traded higher on Wednesday, and gains were led by shipbuilding industry and liquor shares.

At the close of market hours, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.42 percent to 2,808.91 points, the Shenzhen Component Index increased 0.72 percent to end at 8,966.47 points, and the blue chip CSI300 index added 0.45 percent to 3,682.40 points.

Turnover of the two major bourses totaled 402.3 billion yuan (US$57.22 billion), compared with 339.6 billion yuan in the previous trading session.

Most sectors posted gains, led by the shipbuilding and liquor industries. Precious metals, including gold, led the drops.

Shares of CSSC Science & Technology Co Ltd hit the daily cap, up 10.02 percent at 17.24 yuan.

Shares of Kweichow Moutai jumped 2.49 percent at 1043.33 yuan, a record high.

Most shares on the STAR Market gained. Shares of Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences soared by 17.09 percent. Shares of Shanghai Friendess Electronic Technology Co Ltd, Beijing Tianyishangjia New Material Co Ltd and Western Superconducting Technologies Co Ltd all climbed over 3 percent.