China's major stock indices closed higher Thursday, led by the environmental protection and nonferrous metals sectors.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.84 percent to close at 3,117.38. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.02 percent higher at 10,598.35.

The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style enterprises, lost 0.11 percent to close at 1,820.28 Thursday.

Combined turnover on the two bourses stood at 483 billion yuan (about 77 billion U.S. dollars), narrowing from 494.5 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Shares in the environmental protection and nonferrous metals sectors led the gains, with their sub indices rising 1.59 percent and 2.36 percent, respectively.

Shenwu Environmental Technology surged by the daily limit of 10 percent to close at 12.94 yuan per share and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited jumped by the daily limit to close at 5.12 yuan.

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announced Thursday that China will ban imports of 32 types of solid waste in its latest move to reduce environmental pollution.

Sixteen types of solid waste, including compressed car scraps and scrapped ships, will be banned from import beginning from Dec. 31, 2018, MEE said in an online announcement.

Another sixteen types, including stainless steel scraps, will be banned from Dec. 31, 2019.