国内英语新闻:Chinese shares hit 13-month closing high

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares continued Tuesday's rising momentum to hit a new high with Shanghai Composite Index closing at 3,188.55 on Wednesday, setting the highest close since June 2008 as coal, nonferrous metal and auto shares bolstered the rise.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.38 percent, or 43.39 points, to 3,188.55.

    The Shenzhen Component Index advanced 0.68 percent, or 88.19 points, to 13,079.26.

Two investors talk at a stock trading hall in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, July 15, 2009. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index on the Shanghai bourse closed on Wednesday at 3,188 points, up 43 points, or 1.38 percent, from the previous close. The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13,079 points, up 88.2 points, or 0.68 percent

    Total turnover jumped to 333.4 billion yuan (48.81 billion U.S. dollars) from 280.53 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

    Winners outnumbered losers by 537 to 302 in Shanghai and 427 to 304 in Shenzhen.

    Coal shares led the gains in the afternoon trading session with Jingyuan Coal Industry and Electricity Power Company Co. Ltd. and Shenhuo Coal and Power Co. Ltd. reaching the daily limit of 10 percent to close at 18.43 yuan and 28.27 yuan, respectively.

    Nonferrous metal shares gained as the industry forecasts a rebound in the second half of the year based on the recovery expectation of China's economy. Yuannan Copper Co. Ltd. and Jiaozuo Wanfang Aluminum Manufacturing rose by the daily limit of 10 percent to close at 24.68 yuan and 15.99 yuan, respectively.

    Auto shares performed well as the Chinese government unveiled details on Tuesday night of a subsidy program for auto replacement, a fresh measure to stimulate private spending and curb pollution. Chang'an Auto rose 8.67 percent to 11.15 yuan, and Guizhou Tyre advanced 6.41 percent to 13.29 yuan.

    Steel shares posted a widespread gain on the anticipation of increased demand from automobile, manufacturing and construction industries. Hangzhou Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. rose by the daily limit. Baosteel, the country's biggest steel maker, gained 1.46 percent to close at 8.36 yuan, setting its highest close in about a year.

An old woman smiles in front of a share price screen at a stock trading hall in Shanghai, east China, July 15, 2009. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index on the Shanghai bourse closed on Wednesday at 3,188 points, up 43 points, or 1.38 percent, from the previous close. The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13,079 points, up 88.2 points, or 0.68 percent