Chinese equities fell for the third consecutive day Tuesday, driving the benchmark index down to a nearly three-month low as fears of policy tightening continued to dampen property shares.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.42 percent, or 75.02 points, to close at 3,019.39 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index lost 2.47 percent, or 307.63 points, to close at 12,162.56 points.

Combined turnover totaled 181.72 billion yuan (26.61 billion U.S. dollars), expanding from 155.26 billion yuan on the previous trading day.

Losers outnumbered gainers by 837 to 55 in Shanghai and 789 to 66 in Shenzhen.

China stock

An investor views index board at a stock market in Jinzhou city of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 26, 2010. Chinese equities fell for the third consecutive day Tuesday, driving the benchmark index down to a nearly three-month low as fears of policy tightening continued to dampen property shares. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.42 percent, or 75.02 points, to close at 3,019.39 points. The Shenzhen Component Index lost 2.47 percent, or 307.63 points, to close at 12,162.56 points.