BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares opened lower on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened at 2,734.59 points, down by 37.2 points, or 1.34 percent.

The index, which tracks both yuan-denominated A shares and hard-currency B shares traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, tumbled by 8.84 percent on Tuesday to close at 2,771. 7 points.