Blue chips lead market to four-week high

The mainland stock market climbed 1.65 percent yesterday to a four-week closing high, led by blue chips, as the government moved to bolster banking shares and optimism rose over additional State aid to struggling industries.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended at 1986.672 points, after climbing as high as 2018.51. It breached the 2000 point mark, considered a key resistance level by many analysts, for the first time since Dec 22.

Turnover in Shanghai A shares was active at 81 billion yuan, although down from 99.8 billion yuan on Friday.