Chinese share prices tumbled 4.56 percent Tuesday, as fears for economic downturn loomed and the confidence damped by Wall Street overnight fall to its worst finish since 1997.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, fell 4.56 percent, or 105.12 points, to 2200.65.

The Shenzhen Component Index on the smaller Shenzhen bourse was down 3.72 percent, or 324.68 points to 8403.02.

The total turnover stood at 250.4 billion yuan (US$36.66 billion).

Losers led gainers by 768 to 172 in Shanghai and 691 to 116 in Shenzhen.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2009)