Chinese shares fell Thursday as investors remained prudent over the economic uncertainties brought about by the magnitude 8.0 earthquake on May 12.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished down 57.59 points, or 1.66 percent, to 3,401.44, retreating from the intraday highest of 3,481.73.

The key index gained 2.51 percent to 3,459.99 on Wednesday, buoyed by a comment of Fan Fuchun, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, that stock index futures were about ready to begin trade.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed down 366.52 points, or 2.98 percent, at 11,947.14.

The Hushen 300 Index, which reflects about 60 percent of the market value in Shanghai and Shenzhen, closed at 3,580.87 points, down 95.36, or 2.59 percent, from the previous close.

The combined turnover reached 101.3 billion yuan (14.6 billion U.S. dollars), compared with Wednesday's 100.8 billion yuan.

The major indices were dragged down mainly by financial, steel and property stocks, analysts said.

All banks fell. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the nation's largest, dropped 1.35 percent to 5.83 yuan. Shenzhen Development Bank slid 4.66 percent to 24.95 yuan.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2008)