The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, a major index of Chinese shares, closed at a new record of 2,536.39 points on Wednesday.

Powered by the blue-chip financial and telecommunication shares, the Shanghai stock index climbed 56.66 points, or 2.28 percent, over Tuesday.

The Shanghai index broke the 2,500-point mark on Tuesday but went down again to close at 2,479.73 points.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2006)