Most Chinese stocks rose in active trade yesterday, outperforming tumbling equities markets elsewhere in the region, because of expectations for strong economic stimulus measures from the government.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended down 0.26 percent at 1889.638 points, after coming off a low of 1846.533 points in early trade. Turnover in Shanghai A shares rose to 67.3 billion yuan from Monday's 52 billion.

The Shanghai index was depressed by heavily weighted financial shares, with China Life Insurance, the biggest life insurer, down 1.79 percent to 18.16 yuan.