(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-27 12:46

BEIJING - Chinese shares opened 1.8 percent lower and broke through 3,500 mark in morning trade in volatile trading.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed down 3.79 percent at 3470.09 points in Thursday's morning session, after plunging more than 5 percent in intra-day trade.

Heavyweight PetroChina dropped almost 7 percent to 17.3 yuan (about 2.44 US dollars), approaching its issue price 16.7 yuan. It lost its position as the world's largest listed company in market value.

Shenzhen Component Index declined 2.16 percent to 13,198.01 points.