(Yicai Global) Jan. 8 -- Stock markets on the Chinese mainland opened lower this morning as the United States-Iran conflict dampened investors' spirits the world over.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.34 percent weaker at 3,094.24, while the Shenzhen Component Index started down 0.48 percent at 10,776.71. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, started the day 0.64 percent lower at 1,881.01.

Iran has now launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at bases housing American troops in Iraq, in retaliation to a US drone strike killing an Iranian major general last week. US stocks also plunged yesterday as investors feared further escalation and other Asian markets met a similar fate this morning.