Singapore shares fell on Monday along with the region as investors were spooked by a possible slowdown in China's economic growth.

The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) shed 7.65 points or 0.24 per cent to 3,123.82.

The index had been on a roll coming into this year, but had tumbled 43.18 points last Friday to snap a nine-session winning streak.

The recent blip has come amid a breather on Wall Street and some concerns over China, the world's second-largest economy.

On Monday, a private survey showed slowing growth in the mainland's services sector in December, compared with November.

This added to official gauges last week that indicated sluggish expansion in the manufacturing and services industries.

Decliners on the STI included Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, down one US cent or 1.48 per cent to 66.5 US cents.

The business trust holds some ports in Hong Kong and southern China, so its prospects are closely tied to the economy - and trade volumes - of China.