(Yicai Global) Oct. 12 -- China's mainland stock markets went ever higher after a strong opening this morning, as the three major benchmarks all closed over 2 percent up by the half break.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended 2.27 percent higher at 3,346.26. The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 13,606.33, up 2.39 percent, and the ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, climbed 2.99 percent to 2,752.83.

Financial sectors, as well as liquor makers and software developers, were among the biggest gainers, including Guangxi-based Sealand Securities [SHE:000750], which surged to the 10 percent daily limit up to stop trading at CNY5.95 (89 US cents).

Editor: Ben Armour