The CSI300 index of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose 0.4 percent, to 3,130.73, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.4 percent, to 2,913.84 points.

The growth board jumped 3.2 percent.

Property shares recovered from initial losses and climbed 0.4 percent, after data showed China's home prices continued to rise in December 2015, adding to signs of improvements in the housing market.

(Reporting by Samuel Shen and Pete Sweeney; Editing by Richard Borsuk)