(Yicai Global) Aug. 29 -- Surging software shares failed to stem the retreat in China's stock markets at the close today.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended up at 2,890.92, down 0.1 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.16 percent to 9,398.47, and the ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, dropped 0.27 percent to 1,620.86.

Software stocks swam against the tide, rising to 2.4 percent at the finish line.