Chinese stocks closed higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.44 percent, at 3,273.75 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.06 percent higher at 10,943.13 points. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, gained 2.07 percent to close at 1,789.85 points.

Combined turnover on the two bourses expanded to 432.5 billion yuan (68.3 billion U.S. dollars) from 424.87 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

Software producers led the rally. Inspur Software Co., Ltd rose by the daily limit of 10 percent to 16.63 yuan. Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd also increased by the daily limit to 36.05 yuan.

Stocks related with China's Hainan Province rose on favorable policy to support its homestay businesses. Hainan Strait Shipping Co., Ltd rallied by the daily limit to 27.03 yuan.