Chinese shares plunge on weak data

Chinese shares closed sharply lower on Thursday as a string of weaker-than-expected economic data weighed heavily on investors' confidence about the world's second-largest economy.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slumped 2.83 percent, or 62.54 points, to end at 2,148.36. The Shenzhen Component Index dived 3.78 percent, or 331.18 points, to 8,432.42.