Chinese shares fell 1.55 percent on Tuesday as a ban on the trading of Petrochina's non-negotiable stocks ended, soaking up capital.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, closed 72.47 points lower at 4,599.7. It traded between 4,662.97 and 4,550.43.

The Shenzhen Component Index dropped 172.03 points, or 1.01 percent, to close at 16,859.64 points.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2008)