(Yicai  Global) July 15 -- Stock markets on the Chinese mainland opened lower  in the morning as investors sat waiting to first half economic data  which will be published today.

The  Shanghai Composite Index opened 0.3 percent lower at 2,921.55, while  the Shenzhen Component Index slid 0.35 percent to 9,181.03. The ChiNext  Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, started  the day 0.35 percent weaker at 1,512.77.