Chinese equities closed higher in thin trading on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.68 percent, or 18.54 points, to close at 2,751.53 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.42 percent, or 50.76 points, to close at 12,114.56 points.

Combined turnover shrunk to 145.28 billion yuan (21.95 billion U.S. dollars), from 178.88 billion yuan on the previous trading day.