(Yicai Global) Feb. 10 -- Stock markets on the Chinese mainland closed the morning lower today as investors appeared concerned about rising food prices and the coronavirus epidemic.

The  Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.39 percent at 2,864.63 at the midday break, while the Shenzhen Component Index finished 0.22 percent weaker at 10,588.52. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, closed down 0.29 percent at 2,009.95.

China's consumer prices rose 5.4 percent last month, faster than the 4.5 percent gain in December, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Food prices, which rose 20.6 percent, made up the bulk of the rise.