Chinese shares retreated at market open on Monday as inflation fears and the oil price surge weighed on sentiment.
The Shanghai Composite Index, the main gauge of Chinese stocks, opened 0.5% lower at 3,867.02. The Shenzhen Component Index fell 1.0% to 13,333.07.
Investor sentiment was dented by strong U.S. inflation readings that reinforced expectations of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate increases, dampening appetite for riskier assets globally.
Meanwhile, Brent crude rose 3% amid mounting supply concerns. Fresh military strikes in the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, combined with delayed negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, have heightened worries about potential disruptions to global energy flows.