The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, closed down 79.48 points at 5,214.23 on turnover of 65.96 billion yuan (8.79 billion US dollars).

TAIPEI: Taiwan share prices closed 2.27 percent lower amid worries over global stock market volatility, a weakening US dollar and a fresh spike in crude oil prices, dealers said.

The weighted index closed down 196.75 points at the day's low of 8,484.11. Turnover was 128.69 billion Taiwan dollars (3.98 billion US).

SEOUL: South Korean shares closed down 3.5 percent at a three-month low as oil prices approached 100 dollars per barrel, dealers said.

The KOSPI index ended down 65.25 points or 3.5 percent at 1,806.99. It has fallen for five consecutive days, losing more than 150 points.

SYDNEY: Australian share prices closed down 0.6 percent as credit worries, forecasts for slower US growth next year and the upcoming election fuelled uncertainty, dealers said.

The benchmark Samp;P/ASX 200 index closed down 41.1 points at 6,384.3 while the broader All Ordinaries closed down 40.0 points or 0.6 percent at 6,450.2.

SINGAPORE: Singapore share prices closed 2.65 percent lower, mirroring regional losses on fears soaring oil prices could slow the US economy, dealers said.

The main Straits Times Index slumped 91.07 points to 3,347.20 on volume of 1.83 billion shares worth 2.18 billion Singapore dollars (1.51 billion US).

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian share prices closed down 0.9 percent in line with regional markets, dealers said.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was down 11.85 points at 1,359.85 on volume of 1.01 billion shares worth 1.7 billion ringgit (500 million dollars).

BANGKOK: Thai share prices closed 2.71 percent lower amid a regional sell-off after the Federal Reserve sharply revised down US economic growth projections for 2008, dealers said.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index tumbled 22.47 points to 807.58 and the blue-chip SET 50 index fell 18.82 points to 587.39.

JAKARTA: Indonesian share prices closed 2.3 percent lower pressured by falls across markets in Asia and as oil prices neared the 100 dollar per barrel mark, dealers said.

The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index shed 61.24 points to 2,563.62 on volume of 2.98 billion shares valued at 6.19 trillion rupiah (659.56 million dollars).

MANILA: Philippine share prices closed 0.9 percent lower, dragged down by concern over blue-chip San Miguel Corp.'s potential business expansion, dealers said.

The composite index finished down 30.12 points to 3,510.49. The broader all-share index fell 23.30 points to 2,140.43.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand share prices closed little changed on heavy turnover dominated by market leader Telecom, dealers said.

The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 3.71 points to close at 4,071.01 on turnover worth 347.9 million dollars (264.9 million US). Falling stocks outnumbered risers 58 to 47.

MUMBAI: Indian share prices closed down 3.52 percent for a fifth straight decline on concerns about record crude oil prices and the US economy, dealers said. They said banking shares led the fall. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index ended down 678.18 points at 18,602.62, off the day's low of 18,515.30.

"The market was weak on the US growth forecast cut and record oil," said Naresh Garg, chief investment officer with Sahara Mutual Fund.

The Federal Reserve this week cut its 2008 US economic growth forecast.