(Yicai Global) Feb.24 -- China's mainland stock markets  opened lower this morning as the shipping, hotel and catering sectors, all hit  hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, dragged down the major benchmarks.   

The Shanghai Composite Index started at 3,027.89, down  0.39 percent, while the Shenzhen Component Index decreased 0.1 percent to  11,620.63. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen  opened at 2,223.19, 0.15 percent lower.   

Shares related to facial masks, remote work and the safe  haven of gold were the biggest gainers.