(Yicai Global) Feb. 14 -- China's mainland stock markets began today lower as investors remained cautious amid the nationwide fight to contain the novel coronavirus epidemic, which again claimed more than 100 lives in a single day yesterday.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.21 percent down at 2,899.87, while the Shenzhen Component Index began 0.09 percent lower at 10,854.46. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, started down 0.06 percent at 2,063.31.