Chinese equities ended 1.59 percent down at midday Friday, led by poor performance of real estate stocks on concerns that government will move to discourage property speculation.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell for a fourth consecutive day in the morning secession, losing 50.4 points to end at 3,128.68 points.

Real estate shares slid 5.3 percent. China Vanke Co., the country's largest developer, declined 5.41 percent to 10.66 yuan (US$1.56). Poly Real Estate Group Co. dropped 4.86 percent to 22.5 yuan, the ninth straight day of decline.

The Shenzhen Component Index fell 2.79 percent, or 373.67 points to 13,018.05 points.