China stocks ended lower on Thursday after data showed industrial profit growth in China continuing to slow in August and after the US Federal Reserve lifted rates, while news of A-share inclusion in FTSE Russell indexes failed to boost sentiment.

At the close, the blue-chip CSI300 index was 0.40 percent lower at 3,403.59, while the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.54 percent to 2,791.77 points.

The CSI300 financial sector sub-index ended down 0.43 percent, the consumer staples sector fell 0.06 percent, the real estate index lost 0.66 percent and the healthcare sub-index gained 0.69 percent.

The smaller Shenzhen index ended down 1.02 percent and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was weaker by 1.44 percent.

The largest percentage gainers in the main Shanghai Composite index were Xinjiang Bai Hua Cun Co up 10.03 percent, followed by Shanghai Hongda Mining Co, gaining 10.03 percent and Shandong Swan Cotton Industrial Machinery Stock Co, up by 10.03 percent.

China's central bank left short-term rates unchanged on Thursday, choosing not to follow a benchmark interest rate rise by the US Federal Reserve despite the risk that it could put renewed pressure on the yuan.