China B-shares closed mixed, with property stocks supported by hopes for government support measures, dealers said.

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal extended its decline in Shanghai on worries that slowing global growth will crimp demand for resources, while property developer China Vanke led the Shenzhen market higher.

The Shanghai B-share Index fell 0.59 points or 0.47 pct to 125.14, while the Shenzhen B-share Index was up 0.09 points or 0.03 pct at 297.37.

"Policy speculation drove up the property stocks, but investors should remain cautious on the sector," said a Shanghai-based analyst who asked not be identified.

"I heard that property sales in the past week-long holiday were disappointing. It is a sign that the industry is falling on hard times."

In Shanghai, Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal shed 0.38 pct to 2.889 usd after a drop of 10 pct yesterday.

Among property developers, Shanghai Wai Gaoqiao Free Trade Zone Development surged 10 pct to 0.474 usd as it resumed trading today after receiving initial approval from the securities regulator for an asset acquisition plan.

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development gained 0.45 pct at 0.900 usd.

In Shenzhen, China Vanke rose 2.73 pct to 5.65 hkd.

Shandong Airlines rose 3.14 pct to 2.30 hkd on continued decline in oil prices.

Drinks maker Shenzhen Shenbao Industrial fell 5.63 pct to 3.02 hkd after China's cabinet approved new draft rules on supervision of the food sector following the tainted milk scandal.

The FTSE/Xinhua China B 35 Index was down 13.85 points at 4,477.72.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A- and B-shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, closed down 15.90 points or 0.73 pct at 2,157.84 points.

(1 usd = 6.8 yuan; 7.8 hkd)