国际英语新闻：Weak bank shares drive Chinese stocks down Tuesday

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese stocks fell Tuesday, led by banking shares amid concern the government will not relax curbs on bank lending in spite of a slowing in the economic growth rate.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slid 1.70 percent, or 45.51points, to end at 2,627.00 points.

The Shenzhen Stock Index lost 1.58 percent, or 174.05 points, to finish at 10,830.70 points.

Turnover rose to 241.68 billion yuan (35.68 billion U.S. dollars) from 209.41 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Losers outnumbered gainers by 746 to 130 in Shanghai and 413 to 67 in Shenzhen.

Bank shares dropped after the Securities Times reported Tuesday the central bank may raise commercial banks' reserve requirement ratio in October -- despite the nation's slower economic growth. The report cited banking industry insiders.

The central bank has ordered commercial banks to set aside more deposits three times this year, after record bank lending in 2009 prompted concern about asset bubbles and economic overheating.

Hua Xia Bank shares fell 3.68 percent to 12.04 yuan and China Merchants Bank lost 2.70 percent to 14.39 yuan.