BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares continued their gaining streak on Friday with trading remaining robust, following the MSCI's decision to increase the weight of China A-shares in its indexes.

(Photo: VCG)

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.8 percent to finish at 2,994.01. The Shenzhen Component Index climbed 1.5 percent at 9,167.65.

Combined trading volume of the two indexes remained high at 664.41 billion yuan (around $100 billion).

Global index provider MSCI said it would increase the weight of China A-shares in its indexes, by raising the inclusion factor to 20 percent in three stages this year, from the current 5 percent.

The move, coming after an initial inclusion in mid-2018, is expected to spur investment in China's stock market as the MSCI indexes are a benchmark and often the underlying basis of numerous financial products worldwide.

Companies including brokerages, banks, cement producers and distilled spirit makers led the rally. Kweichow Moutai, a leading liquor company, rose 4.54 percent to 789.3 yuan.

However, shares related to papermaking, hotels and catering dropped.

The ChiNext Index, China's NASDAQ-style board, gained 2.1 percent to close at 1,567.87 on Friday.