Chinese shares close higher Wednesday ahead of the release of second-quarter economic data, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.82 percent to end at 2,470.44 points.

The Shenzhen Stock Index rose 0.02 percent, or 1.96 points, to 9,803.72 points.

Total turnover increased to 132.66 billion yuan (19.57 billion U.S. dollars), from 127.97 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

The National Bureau of Statistics is expected to release a range of economic data Thursday, including the second-quarter gross domestic product growth, the consumer price index and fixed assets investment.