Chinese shares close lower Wednesday

Chinese stocks closed lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.97 percent to 3,941.39 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.88 percent lower at 13,611.55 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, dropped 2.39 percent to close at 3,312.24 points.

The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 1.37 percent lower at 1,906.64 points.

Taiwan compatriots and enterprises are welcome to innovate and pioneer in the mainland, said Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang made the statement in response to a media query about reports on Taiwan region's enthusiasm in the mainland's remarkable progress in robot technology demonstrated in the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing from Aug 22 to 26. Public opinion within the Taiwan Island believes that it is necessary to enhance cooperation in related fields across the Taiwan Strait.

"From bouncing and jumping on the Spring Festival Gala stage to constantly setting new records at the Games, to entering application scenarios of production and life, humanoid robots developed on the mainland have demonstrated the deep integration and rapid development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. The 15th Five-Year Plan has made forward-looking arrangements for future industries such as embodied intelligence and brain-computer interfaces. With its full-fledged industrial system, solid industrial foundation and rich application scenarios, the mainland will create broad development space for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises. We welcome compatriots and enterprises from Taiwan to innovate and pioneer on the mainland, participate in high-quality development, and jointly strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation," Zhang said.