Chinese stocks closed slightly lower Wednesday, despite strong performances of energy shares.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went down 0.07 percent to close at 3,159.15, and the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.17 percent lower at 10,689.07.

Combined turnover on the two bourses stood at 382.6 billion yuan (about 60 billion U.S. dollars), down from 443.8 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Energy shares jumped on reports of possible oil price hikes due to reduced supply.

Environmental protection stocks also led the gains, as China's top legislature decided to send four teams of lawmakers to inspect enforcement of the air pollution control law in eight provincial-level regions across the country. The lawmakers convened their first plenary meeting Monday.

In contrast, heavyweights such as the insurance, iron and steel sectors led the declines.

The ChiNext Index, China's NASDAQ-style board, lost 0.06 percent to close at 1,855.81.