BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese stocks gained 2.17 percent on Thursday after declining for two consecutive days, pulled up by telecommunication stocks amid prospects that the government would speed up restructuring in the sector.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, closed up 2.17 percent, or 77.69 points to 3,656.84 points on Thursday.

A man smiles before the electronic board of stock prices at a stock trading hall in Shanghai, east China, May 8, 2008. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange closed at 3,656.84 points on May 8, up 77.69 points, or 2.17 percent, from the previous close. The Shenzhen Component Index on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange closed at 1,317.53 points, up 2.61 percent.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Shenzhen Component Index added 2.61 percent to end at 13,317.53 points.

    Aggregate turnover on the two bourses totaled 153.85 billion yuan (21.98 billion U.S. dollars).

A smiling man talks with other traders at a stock trading hall in Shanghai, east China, May 8, 2008. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange closed at 3,656.84 points on May 8, up 77.69 points, or 2.17 percent, from the previous close. The Shenzhen Component Index on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange closed at 1,317.53 points, up 2.61 percent. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>