China shares firm, nuclear power shares leap

China shares maintained upward momentum on Thursday morning, rising on investor optimism about broad economic reforms and bolstered by a leap in nuclear power-related shares after the government announced sector-friendly policies. At midday, the CSI300, an index of leading Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listings, climbed 0.4 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.5 per cent at 2,355.91 points. Nuclear power-related shares were among the biggest gainers after the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC), China's central planning agency, said that it planned to start four projects that would produce over 1,000 megawatts of nuclear power in coastal areas. SUFA Technology Industry Co Ltd jumped to strike its 10 per cent daily limit, while Shenzhen Woer Heat-Shrinkable Material Co Ltd gained 7.1 per cent, according to Reuters.