Chinese equities surged 2.6 percent on Thursday as coal and metal producers rallied.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 2.59 percent, or 79.63 points, to close at 3,153.41 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 3.84 percent, or 492.01 points, to close at 13,305.31 points.

Combined turnover doubled to 202.26 billion yuan (US$29.7 billion), from 103.17 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2009)