BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shares started lower on Wednesday, the first day after the government raised the stamp tax on securities trading from 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened at 4,087.41 points, down 247.52 points, or 5.71 percent.

    The index, which tracks both yuan-denominated A-shares and foreign currency-denominated B-shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, closed at 4,334.92 points on Tuesday.