Defense shares help lift index

Brokerages get support ahead of Hong Kong exchange link

Stocks rose on the Chinese mainland on Wednesday, sending the benchmark index to its biggest gain in about seven weeks, as a jump in new trading accounts lifted brokerages, and defense companies rallied on speculation of increased State spending.

CITIC Securities Co climbed 3.4 percent, and Changjiang Securities Co advanced by the 10 percent daily limit. Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Co surged 10 percent.