Stock markets affected by weak December credit data

Stock markets in the Chinese mainland showed mixed performance on Wednesday, following the release of data showing a slowdown in new credit growth in December.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index declined by 3.49 points or 0.17 percent to 2,023.35 points on Wednesday. The Shenzhen Component Index rose slightly by 3.03 points or 0.04 percent to 7,668.80 points.

Combined turnover on the two bourses on Wednesday was 155.20 billion yuan ($25.66 billion), up from Tuesday's 146.3 billion yuan.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, released data Wednesday showing an obvious slowdown in new credit growth in December, deepening concerns that tight liquidity will continue in 2014.

Banks underperformed following the news. China CITIC Bank Corp slid by 2.41 percent to 3.64 yuan while Industrial and Commercial Bank of China fell by 1.70 percent to 3.46 yuan.

US-based electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc said Tuesday the company is planning to build a network of charging stations in China. Related stocks gained strongly, with Jiangsu Guotai International Group Guomao Co and Kingray New Materials Science and Tech Co rising by the daily limit of 10 percent to 11.86 yuan and 8.48 yuan, respectively.

ChiNext, China's NASDAQ-style board for high-tech and fast-growing start-ups listed in Shenzhen, continued its upward trend on Wednesday, rising by 14.41 points or 1.03 percent to 1,415.32 points at the close.