Stocks slide amid policy concerns

Investors wary of government's possible inflation-busting measures

SHANGHAI - China's stocks fell, driving the benchmark index to the lowest in a month, on speculation the government will intensify measures to curb accelerating inflation including higher interest rates and price controls.

PetroChina Co and Jiangxi Copper Co plunged more than 6 percent on concern further tightening will curb oil and metals demand. China Vanke Co slid to the lowest since September, pacing declines by real-estate developers, after the government ordered first-time foreign homebuyers to show proof they don't own other properties. China Construction Bank Corp and Agricultural Bank of China Ltd dropped more than 2 percent on the prospect higher borrowing costs will cut loan growth.