(Yicai Global) Jan. 18 -- Chinese stock markets opened lower today as chary investors kept their heads down, awaiting this morning’s release of the latest economic data.

The Shanghai Composite Index kicked off at 3,555.8, 0.32 percent lower, while its Nasdaq-like Star Market Board 50 Index, or Star 50, fell 0.26 percent to 1,443.82.

The Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.34 percent to 14,980.5, while its ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, sagged 0.39 percent to 3,078.03.

The National Bureau of Statistics of China is set to issue the economic data which includes the gross domestic product for 2020.

Editor: Ben Armour