Chinese shares close higher Thursday

Chinese stocks closed higher on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.37 percent to 3,516.83 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.43 percent higher at 10,873.62 points.

The combined turnover of these two indices stood at 1.54 trillion yuan (about 215.5 billion U.S. dollars), up from 1.44 trillion yuan on the previous trading day.

Stocks related to aircraft manufacturing and textile machinery led the gains, while stocks in the ceramics and water and gas supply sectors suffered major losses.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 1.75 percent to close at 2,269.33 points Thursday.

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.