(Yicai Global) Sept. 17 -- China's mainland stock markets opened lower this morning while liquor and food equities were the biggest losers as both sectors tumbled by more than 2 percent.

The Shanghai Composite Index started 0.20 percent lower at 3,277.32. The Nasdaq-like Star Market 50 Index, or Star 50, was down 0.15 percent at 1,347.45.

The Shenzhen Component Index began the day at 12,970.34, down 0.31 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, edged down 0.14 percent to 2,551.29.

Editor: Emmi Laine