Chinese shares boosted by private healthcare announcement

Chinese shares closed higher on Wednesday, after authorities rolled out measures to encourage the development of private healthcare.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.33 percent, or 6.95 points, to finish at 2,105.24. The Shenzhen Component Index slightly gained by 0.03 percent, or 2.6 points, to close at 7,511.25.

Combined turnover on China's two bourses stood at 189.95 billion yuan(30.64 billion U.S. dollars).

Chinese authorities unveiled a package of measures on Wednesday to ease price controls covering non-public hospital services and encourage the private sector to build health institutions.

Boosted by the stimulus, stocks in the healthcare sector surged by 3.13 percent, the day's biggest gainer. All shares in the sector enjoyed rises, and Andon, a medical devices producer, led the growth.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained by 1.43 percent, or 19.28 points, to end at 1,370.46 points.