Chinese shares close slightly higher -- Dec 26

BEIJING - Chinese shares closed slightly higher Wednesday, as investors continued to cash in, in hopes of the bullish trend will persist after the key index surged to a six-month high a day earlier.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index increased 0.25 percent, or 5.52 points, to end at 2,219.13. The Shenzhen Component Index added 0.55 percent, or 49.11 points, to 8,940.68.

Combined turnover on the two bourses contracted slightly to 195.62 billion yuan ($31.05 billion), from Tuesday's 220.8 billion yuan.