Chinese equities opened lower on Tuesday, weighed down by weaker-than-expected credit data.

The Shanghai Composite Index, the main gauge of Chinese stocks, opened 0.1% lower at 3,879.73. The Shenzhen Component Index dipped 0.2% to 13,362.18.

The cautious start followed the release of lending data showing China's outstanding yuan loans grew 4.9% year over year to 282.35 trillion yuan as of the end of August. The growth rate slowed from July's 5.1% expansion to a record low, falling short of the 5.1% increase forecast by Investing.com.

Separately, China's banks issued 60 billion yuan in new yuan loans during August. While the latest print came far below the 480 billion yuan consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com, it marked a recovery from July's record 340 billion yuan contraction.