Chinese shares closed moderately lower in the morning session Monday with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index falling below the psychological mark of 3,000.

Shanghai Composite Index lost 20.97 points, or 0.7 percent, to finish the morning session at 2,989.55.

The Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.64 percent, or 81.26 points, to end the morning session at 12,627.16.