The leading stock index of Shanghai Stock Exchange, one of China's two bourses, once dropped to a low of 998.23 points during the morning session on Monday, the lowest in nearly eight years.

The composite stock index of the Shanghai bourse picked up slightly to 1,005.82 points at midday, but it was still lower than Monday's opening of 1,010.38 points.

The benchmark index covers yuan-denominated A shares and foreign-currency B shares.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2005)