Chinese shares fell Thursday, as profit taking in the late afternoon trading dragged down earlier gains led by software and heathcare shares.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 2,552.66 points, down 18.77points, or 0.73 percent from the previous close.

The Shenzhen Component Index ended at 10,118.04 points, down 70.10 points, or 0.69 percent, from the previous close.

Total turnover expanded to 152.05 billion yuan (22.26 billion U.S. dollars) from 126.1 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

Losers outnumbered gainers by 654 to 210 in Shanghai and 617 to 316 in Shenzhen.