China's benchmark stock index climbed timidly up to close above the 3,300-point barrier on Thursday, with real estate, power and pharmaceutical shares leading the upward trend.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 27.60 points, or 0.84 percent, from the previous day to end Thursday trading at a new record high of 3,319.14 points.

The key stock indicator, which covers both A- and B-shares, peaked at 3,326.92 points and bottomed at 3,259.63 points on a turnover of 116.256 billion yuan (15.1 billion U.S. dollars).

The Component Index on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange also reached a new high to close at 9,161.48 points, up 0.78 percent. It gained 71.01 points on a transaction volume of 59.088 billion yuan (7.7 billion U.S. dollars).

The combined turnover for the two bourses summed up to 175.31 billion yuan (22.8 billion U.S.dollars), down marginally from the previous day level of 180.3 billion yuan (23.42 billion U.S. dollars).

On the Shanghai A-share market, there were 622 gainers and 154 losers, with 62 shares remaining largely unchanged. The Shenzhen A-share market recorded 417 gainers and 120 losers, with 64 stocks unchanged.

Most heavyweights led the downward movement, while secondary blue chips, such as real estate, power and pharmaceutical shares, took the lead in the bullish trend.

The Hushen 300 Index, which reflects the whole fluctuation of China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, closed at 2,945.05 points, up 33.22 points, or 1.14 percent, from the previous close.

Source: Xinhua