(Yicai Global) Dec. 11 -- Chinese mainland stock markets closed mixed today, as the gap between the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses extended after opening as bank shares led the gainers.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.24 percent higher at 2,924.42, while sci-tech stocks trading on the Shanghai-based STAR market inched down 0.79 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 9,852.71, edging down 0.64 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks Shenzhen-listed growth enterprises, finished 0.91 percent lower at 1,718.26.

Banking stocks rose 1.16 percent on average to spearhead the charge. Communication network shares dropped 1.47 percent to lead the losers.

Editor: Ben Armour