Chinese shares opened slightly lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, dropping 0.1 percent to 1,878.83 at the opening.

The smaller Shenzhen index was down 0.06 percent to open at 6,631.18 points.

Analysts said investor confidence was weakened by a bleak corporate outlook.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2009)