BEIJING -- Chinese shares plunged on Tuesday after data from the HSBC suggest China's manufacturing activity slowed in April.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 2.57 percent, or 57.63 points, to end at 2,184.54, and the Shenzhen Component Index slumped 2.92 percent, or 264.48 points, to 8,793.13.

The preliminary figure for China's purchasing managers index for manufacturing sector stood at 50.5 in April, compared to March's final reading of 51.6, the HSBC Holdings says on Tuesday.