Yuan strengthens against greenback

The central parity rate of the yuan, strengthened 28 pips to 7.1034 against the US dollar on Thursday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day. The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers.

Chinese mainland shares close higher

Chinese mainland stocks closed higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 1.65 percent to 3875.31 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 3.36 percent higher at 12979.89 points.