Chinese shares close down 1.84 percent

Chinese share prices closed down 1.84 percent Tuesday as investors worried about the impact of a deadly earthquake in southwest China and high inflation, dealers said.

Shares opened sharply lower following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake, which led to the suspension of 66 stocks based in the affected region.

But losses were trimmed by steelmakers and medicine stocks on expectations of strong demand for reconstruction and healthcare support.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, closed down 66.74 points at 3,560.24 on turnover of 122.7 billion yuan (17.5 billion dollars).

The Shanghai A-share Index shed 70.05 points or 1.84 percent to 3,735.70 on turnover of 122.3 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share Index was down 1.64 points or 0.14 percent at 1,166.64 on turnover of 64.8 billion yuan.

(Agencies)