Chinese share prices managed to close up 0.51 percent on the month's first trading day after bank shares rebounded in the afternoon session.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, rose 0.51 percent, or 10.6 points, to close at 2,093.45.

The Shenzhen Component Index on the smaller Shenzhen bourse closed at 7,762.72 points, up 154.5 points, or 2.03 percent.

Total turnover stood at 114.2 billion yuan (US$16.7 billion).

Gains led losses by 754 to 178 in Shanghai and 701 to 103 in Shenzhen.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)