Chinese shares close down 2.68 percent

Chinese share prices closed down 2.68 percent on Monday as investors shrugged off government plans to allow shareholders of listed companies to issue exchangeable bonds, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, was down 59.03 points at 2,143.42 on turnover of 27.7 billion yuan (4.1 billion dollars).

The Shanghai A-share index fell 61.82 points, or 2.67 percent, to close at 2,249.82 on turnover of 27.5 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share index fell 26.22 points, or 4.12 percent, to 610.46 on turnover of 12.3 billion yuan.

(Agencies)