Chinese equities rose for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following the news that the State Council has approved the long-awaited stock-index futures, which has not been confirmed till press time.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went up 1.58 percent, or 50.84 points, to close at 3,262.6 points. The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.04 percent, or 140.48 points, to close at 13,644.47 points.

Combined turnover on the two bourses expanded to 254.09 billion yuan (US$37.2 billion), from 194.38 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2009)