China's shares dipped 0.6 percent on Wednesday as funds sold big caps such as Sinopec Corp to lock in profits following gains in the previous trading sessions. The benchmark Shanghai composite index closed at 1,134.608 points, after climbing 0.45 percent by the midday break and rising 0.87 percent on Tuesday.
Sinopec, Asia's largest refiner, shed 0.52 percent to 3.86 yuan, completely wiping out a 0.52 percent gain on Tuesday.
Wuhan Iron and Steel Co Ltd, China's third biggest steel mill, slipped 0.57 percent to 3.51 yuan, after rising 2.32 percent on Tuesday.
The index is expected to move in a narrow range and could test the key 1,100-point level in the coming sessions as investors wait for more firms to issue their third quarter results, dealers said.
China's 1,400-odd listed firms are required to release third-quarter reports before October 31.
"It could dip below the 1,100 level soon," said an analyst with Huatai Securities.
The benchmark index has dived more than 10 percent so far this year, depressed partly by Beijing's controversial programme to float $250 billion in non-traded state holdings in listed companies.