(Yicai Global) Jan. 12 -- China's mainland stock markets climbed steadily in the afternoon so that both of the main equity benchmarks in Shanghai and Shenzhen reached their highest levels in more than five years.

The Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.18 percent to close at 3,608.34, the highest since December 2015. The Shenzhen Component Index gained 2.28 percent to 15,460.03, a level not seen since June 2015.

Shenzhen's ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, settled at 3,180.35, up 2.83 percent. Its Shanghai counterpart, the Star Market Board 50 Index, finished 1.05 percent up at 1,405.22.

Editor: Emmi Laine