After retreating for two consecutive days, China share prices staged a strong rebound of more than three percent Wednesday as the market expected the government to announce fresh stimulus policies to bolster the economy.

The rally was led by shares in coal producers, banks and securities brokers.

The Shanghai Composite Index gained 65.5 points, or 3.52 percent, to 1,928.87. The Shenzhen Component Index rose 4.3 percent to 6,811.87, up 281.06 points.

Combined turnover climbed to 97.2 billion yuan (US$14.22 billion) from 80.33 billion yuan of the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2009)