Stocks down, but Wen's remarks aid property

China's stock market fell yesterday as late drops in other Asian markets encouraged profit-taking. But property shares rose after Premier Wen Jiabao said the government would seek to help the real estate sector.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which soared 7.27 percent on Monday in response to news of a government stimulus package for the economy, ended Tuesday down 1.66 percent at 1843.607 points after standing slightly higher at midday.

Losing Shanghai stocks outnumbered gainers by 604 to 309, as turnover in Shanghai A shares remained active at 56.5 billion yuan against Monday's 56.6 billion yuan.