Chinese equities closed 3.19 percent down on Friday, led by financial stocks and heavy weights.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 97.59 points to finish at 2,940.83.

The Shenzhen Component Index dipped 3.98 percent, or 496.21 points, to end at 11,977.40.

Aggregate turnover shrank to 202.36 billion yuan (29.63 billion U.S. dollars) from 275.29 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

Losers outnumbered gainers by 795 to 95 in Shanghai and 660 to 109 in Shenzhen.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2009)