BEIJING - Chinese shares slumped on Thursday after HSBC data showed the nation's manufacturing activities fell to a nine-month low this month.

The tumble also tracked wide losses in the Asian markets on news that the US Federal Reserve could start scaling back its massive bond-buying program later this year if the economy improves as expected.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.77 percent, or 59.43 points, to end at 2,084.02. The Shenzhen Component Index declined 3.25 percent, or 273.76 points, to 8,147.48.