China
Major European stocks closed higher on Wednesday.
Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.58 percent to 10,325.35 points, France's CAC 40 gained 0.35 percent to 8,007.97 points, while Germany's DAX advanced 0.76 percent to 24,136.81 points.
Market analysts attributed the gains to strong performances in energy and mining sectors, which offset lingering concerns over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
European stocks close higher as mining shares lead gains
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 30 pips to 6.8401 against the U.S. dollar Thursday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.
Chinese yuan strengthens to 6.8401 against USD Thursday
