China stocks close lower Monday

BEIJING -- Chinese stocks reversed an upward trend in the morning session to end lower on Monday, the first trading day after the week-long Spring Festival holiday.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index moved down 0.45 percent, or 10.84 points, to end at 2,421.56, while the Shenzhen Component Index slid 1.93 percent, or 193.19 points, to 9,795.91.

Combined turnover on the two bourses totalled 201 billion yuan ($32 billion).

After a short-lived boost in the morning session, Chinese shares erased earlier gains to end the day in the red, dragged down by weak performances of major heavyweights.

The securities sector led the losses with a 3.91-percent drop. Everbright Securities shed 5.51 percent to end at 15.1 yuan per share, and Sealand Securities moved down 4.38 percent to 13.96 yuan.

Liquor makers also declined across the board. Kweichow Moutai, China's most famous high-end liquor, moved down 4.35 percent to end at 179.69 yuan.

Coal-related shares went down as oil futures dipped on the international market. Datong Coal Mine slipped 2.91 percent to end the day at 10.33 yuan per share.

Bucking the trend, shares related to environmental protection, chemical fiber, semi-conductor and food saw gains on Monday.