Key mainland index edges down

SHANGHAI - The mainland's key stock index closed down 0.48 percent on Tuesday after investors took profits in small-cap shares after a speculative rally over the past week.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended at 3073.108 points, easing from its highest close in five weeks on Monday after a nearly week-long 5 percent rally driven by bargain-hunting.

Investor confidence remains fragile partly because the China Securities Regulatory Commission has been adding a large number of new shares into the market to help cool trading.