Shipyard shares gain amid weak index

China's stocks dropped the most in three weeks as slumping energy and metal prices drove raw material producers lower, outweighing gains by companies receiving government support.

China Shenhua Energy Co, the nation's largest coal producer, slid 4.3 percent after crude oil traded close to a one-month low, while Jiangxi Copper Co retreated 3.7 percent. Guangzhou Shipyard International Co and China State Shipbuilding Co jumped by the 10 percent daily cap after the government announced plans to boost the shipbuilding industry.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks the bigger of China's stock exchanges, lost 12.73, or 0.6 percent, to 2,248.09 at the close, the most since Jan 23. The index earlier fell as much as 3.1 percent.