Key mainland index climbs

SHANGHAI - The mainland's key stock index rose 0.78 percent on Wednesday to its highest close in more than five weeks, led by renewable energy shares.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended at 3097.005 points, recapturing its modest loss in the previous session after a week-long rally fuelled by speculation in small-cap shares stalled at a five-week high. "Trading remained dominated by interest in select stocks, mostly small caps such as renewable energy stocks," said Xu Yinghui, senior analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Shanghai.

"As you can see clearly, sentiment remains cautious, capping gains in the overall market," Xu said, citing an official clampdown on excessive bank lending and a regulatory push to add share supplies to cool asset prices.