BEIJING -- Chinese shares closed lower on Thursday in choppy trading, despite gains for railway-related companies after the central government vowed to fully open China's railway construction market.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.60 percent, or 12.15 points, to end at 2,021.17. The Shenzhen Component Index edged down 0.52 percent, or 41.24 points, to 7,894.60.