Chinese shares close down 0.78 percent

SHANGHAI, July 17 - Chinese share prices closed 0.78 percent lower Thursday as losses by shares in property developers wiped out the day's earlier gains, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, closed down 21.09 points at 2,684.78 on turnover of 51.5 billion yuan (7.5 billion dollars).

The Shanghai A-share index shed 22.07 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,816.02 on turnover of 51.3 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share index was down 8.11 points, or 0.96 percent, to 839.06 on turnover of 28.7 billion yuan.

(Agencies)