China shares down in morning trade

Chinese shares were down in morning trade on Friday on concerns over the health of the economy after the release of weak manufacturing data, dealers said. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.67 percent, or 14.30 points, to 2,124.48. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, slipped 0.16 percent, or 1.83 points, to 1,137.44, according to AFP.