Chinese shares rose 1.71 percent on Wednesday, led by the country's two largest oil producers, on market expectation that the government would raise gasoline retail prices.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.71 percent, or 44.36 points, to close at 2632.93. The Shenzhen Component Index was up 1.05 percent, or 105.62 points, to 10,127.92.

Combined turnover shrank to 161.26 billion yuan (US$23.61 billion) from 192.2 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Gainers led losers by 440 to 417 in Shanghai and 414 to 339 in Shenzhen.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)