Chinese equities went down by almost 2 percent Wednesday, continuing the downward trend for the second day this week as investors remained cautious and chose to ride the fence.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index lost 54.83 points, or 1.89 percent, to finish at 2,842.72.

The Shenzhen Component Index fell 2.97 percent, or 351.13 points, to close at 11,462.33.

Combined turnover also shrank, from Tuesday's 222.77 billion yuan to 191.61 billion yuan (28.18 billion U.S. dollars).

Losers outnumbered gainers by 760 to 107 in Shanghai and 662 to 110 in Shenzhen.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2009)