(Yicai Global) Aug. 17 -- China's benchmark stock indexes rose at the opening as securities traders led the gains.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.41 percent to 3373.90, the Shenzhen Component Index opened up 0.39 percent to 13,542.01, and the ChiNext, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, gained 0.51 percent to 2,682.21.

Virtual currency stocks were also top performers, while agriculture sectors and some stocks related to Hainan development plan were among worst performers.