BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Stocks rose 2.17 percent on Thursday, after falling for two consecutive days, as telecommunication stocks gained on hopes for a speedier restructuring of the sector.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 77.69 points to 3,656.84. The Shenzhen Component Index added 2.61 percent to finish at 13,317.53 points.

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>>>

    Aggregate turnover was 153.85 billion yuan (21.98 billion U.S. dollars).

    Telecommunication shares gained momentum in response to media reports that an industrial restructuring plan might be released on May 17, which is World Telecommunications Day. Mobile giant China Unicom climbed 8.77 percent to 10.17 yuan.

    Coal mining shares rose across the board, buoyed by soaring world energy prices. China Shenhua, the country's largest coal producer, rose 6.28 percent to 50.77 yuan.

    PetroChina, the biggest component of the key Shanghai index, edged up 0.28 percent to 17.99 yuan.

    The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's largest lender, was up 0.48 percent to 6.31 yuan.

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>>>