(Yicai Global) Jan. 21 -- China's mainland stock markets opened lower this morning after Shenzhen's tech board hit a three-year high yesterday. The healthcare sector prolonged the bullish momentum.

The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, dropped 0.14 percent to 1,979.37. The Shenzhen Component Index was at 11,077.66, down 0.34 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.32 percent lower at 3,085.79.

Medical firms averted the declines as China's coronavirus cases reached a total of 224 by yesterday evening, according to authorities. The shares of antibiotics maker Lukang Pharmaceutical [SHA:600789] jumped by the upper limit of 10 percent for the second straight day to CNY9.41 (USD1.37).

Editor: Emmi Laine