Chinese equities close almost flat Thursday as the nation's first quarter economic data were in line with market expectations.

China's statistics authority announced Thursday morning that the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 11.9 percent year on year in the first quarter to 8.06 trillion yuan (1.19 trillion U.S. dollars), and the consumer price index (CPI), the main gauge of inflation, rose 2.4 percent year on year in March.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange ended slightly down at 3,164.97 points, down 0.04 percent, or 1.22 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ended at 12,513.29 points Thursday, down 44.4 points, or 0.35 percent, from the previous close.

Total turnover rose to 249.13 billion yuan from 248.5 billion yuan on the previous trading day.