China shares end lower as investors book profits, uncertainty looms

But while China's economy is showing steady recovery, a hard battle still lies ahead as the situation remains severe both at home and abroad, state radio quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Monday.

SHANGHAI: China shares closed lower on Tuesday as investors consolidated their positions from a recent bull run, and as uncertainty over China's economic outlook and relationship with the United States weighed despite encouraging trade data.

At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.83% at 3,414.62. The index trimmed losses that had pushed it down more than 2% in afternoon trade. It has gained 14.4% this month.