Chinese shares close higher Friday

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese stocks closed higher Friday with stocks related to the free trade zone in Shanghai and brewing sector leading the gains.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.04 percent to close at 3,021.75, while the Shenzhen Component Index increased 1.41 percent to 9,550.54.

Combined trading volume of the two indexes shrank to 750.67 billion yuan (around 111.8 billion U.S. dollars), from 812.52 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Most stocks gained, with gainers outnumbering losers by 1,209 to 207 on the Shanghai bourse and 1,681 to 409 on the Shenzhen bourse.

stocks related to the free trade zone in Shanghai saw a notable increase. Shanghai Jin Jiang International Industrial Investment Co., Ltd. and Y.U.D. Yangtze River Investment Industry Co., Ltd. rose by the daily 10-percent limit to 12.85 yuan and 8.35 yuan respectively.

Liquor shares saw a strong performance as well. Hebei Hengshui Laobaigan Liquor Co., Ltd., one of the country's leading liquor producers, surged 7.87 percent to finish at 16.99 yuan.

The ChiNext Index, China's NASDAQ-style board, edged up 0.75 percent to close at 1,662.62.