Chinese equities closed higher on Thursday to a new 13-month high, led by financial and property shares.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,328.49 points, up 31.88 points, or 0.97 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13,521.65 points, up 168.44 points, or 1.26 percent.

Combined turnover shrank to 298.69 billion yuan (US$43.73 billion) from 306.79 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2009)