Chinese share prices closed down 1.05 percent as heavyweight stocks remained weak despite strong property sector performance.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, declined 22.02 points, to close at 2,071.43.

The Shenzhen Component Index on the smaller Shenzhen bourse closed at 7,695.62 points, down 67.1 points, or 0.86 percent.

Total turnover stood at 127.18 billion yuan (US$18.7 billion), up from 114.2 billion yuan on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)