Chinese equities closed down on Thursday morning with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 38.75 points, or 1.36 percent to end at 2,803.97 in the morning session.

The Shenzhen Component Index edged down 2.12 percent, or 242.77 points to close at 11,219. 56.

The combined turnover was 79.12 billion yuan (11.64 billion U.S. dollars).