Chinese equities closed higher in the opening trading day of the year on Tuesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 1.59 percent, or 44.57 points, to close at 2,852.65 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 2.05 percent, or 255.96 points, to close at 12,714.51 points.

Combined turnover expanded to 260.67 billion yuan (39.37 billion U.S. dollars), from 200.53 billion yuan on the previous trading day.