Chinese equities dived more than 6 percent as of 14:20 p.m. on Tuesday, responding to declines on the regional markets, led by property and coal producer shares.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, tumbled 6.79 percent as of 14:20 p.m. to 1,892.57 points. The Shenzhen Component Index lost more than 7.5 percent.

The plunge was because of profit taking from rebounds on previous trading days, analysts said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2008)