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China shares fail to lift on the central bank's rate cut China shares rise amid sharp volatility
(about 2 hours later)
Chinese shares continued to lose ground despite the central bank's latest effort to reassure traders. Chinese shares were up amid volatile trade as traders gauge the effect of a fresh rate cut by the central bank.
The mainland's benchmark Shanghai Composite was down 1.1% to 2,930.23 points after a volatile open earlier. The mainland's benchmark Shanghai Composite was 3.1% higher at 3,054.97, recovering from early morning losses.
The index had already fallen about 16% this week, sending shockwaves through global markets. The index had fallen about 16% this week, sending shockwaves through global markets.
The dramatic losses and volatility in China has shattered investor confidence and led to sharp falls in Asia and the US over the past days.The dramatic losses and volatility in China has shattered investor confidence and led to sharp falls in Asia and the US over the past days.
On Tuesday, China's central bank cut its key lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.6% in an effort to calm stock markets after the past days' turmoil.On Tuesday, China's central bank cut its key lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.6% in an effort to calm stock markets after the past days' turmoil.
It is the fifth interest rate cut by the People's Bank of China since November last year.It is the fifth interest rate cut by the People's Bank of China since November last year.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fared only slightly better than the mainland, shedding 0.3% to 21,328.55 points. A rate cut will make it cheaper for banks to borrow from the central bank and will in turn make it easier for businesses and private people to borrow money from those banks.
China economy woes The BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing explains that the move is aimed at a long-term effect on the growth of the Chinese economy, rather than at having an immediate impact on investors.
Chinese shares had experienced a year-long rally - mainly fuelled by investors borrowing money to buy shares - which came to an end in June. "They've already said they are not going to intervene on a day-to-day basis in the stock market but they are going to focus their attention on growing the real economy in the long term."
The Chinese government then intervened in financial markets to try to maintain momentum in the economy. "They hope that this will convince investors that the Chinese economy might be slowing down but is not in for a hard landing and that this will over time convince investors and stabilise the market," our correspondent said.
Two weeks ago the central bank devalued the currency, the yuan, to boost exports - this raised fresh concerns that China's economy could be in worse shape than previously thought. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index followed Shanghai's lead for most of the morning and was up 0.9% to 21,601.38 points.
Carrie Gracie, BBC News China editor: "Beijing looks uncertain"
The deeper problem is that now the year-long stock bubble has burst, investors are confronting the economic fundamentals.
China has embarked on a huge transition away from its previous investment led growth model, and although the government warned that transition would be painful, the pain is already far worse than it bargained for, undermining the credibility of its 7% growth target and deepening political unease.
A dramatic devaluation of the currency a fortnight ago, coming on top of the summer's bungled stock market rescue, has left Beijing looking uncertain and accident prone.
The stock market may well have further to fall.
Given China's central role in world trade, a slowdown in the world's second largest economy would likely reverberate around the globe.Given China's central role in world trade, a slowdown in the world's second largest economy would likely reverberate around the globe.
Read more: The six Cs of the China stock slumpRead more: The six Cs of the China stock slump
The stocks fall in facial expressionsThe stocks fall in facial expressions
Cautious optimism elsewhereCautious optimism elsewhere
Elsewhere in Asia, the region's largest index, Japan's Nikkei 225 edged higher on Wednesday, up by 0.4% to 17,877.49. Elsewhere in Asia, the region's largest index, Japan's Nikkei 225 was 2.5% higher on Wednesday at 18,245.89 points.
The Nikkei's gains come after a painful week for the Tokyo index which had shed more than 8% in the past two sessions.The Nikkei's gains come after a painful week for the Tokyo index which had shed more than 8% in the past two sessions.
South Korea's Kospi index was also in positive territory, trading 1% higher at 1,865.54 points while in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 failed to make any gains but instead fell by 0.5% to 5,110.10. South Korea's Kospi index was also in positive territory, trading 2% higher at 1,885.59 points while in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose by 0.7% to 5,172.00.
Overnight, European and US markets saw another session of volatile trading.Overnight, European and US markets saw another session of volatile trading.
Read more from our experts:Read more from our experts:
Robert Peston: Why is the FTSE 100 shrugging off Shanghai Noon?Robert Peston: Why is the FTSE 100 shrugging off Shanghai Noon?
Duncan Weldon: What next for the global economy after China market woes?Duncan Weldon: What next for the global economy after China market woes?
Andrew Walker: How the China share slump affects the rest of the worldAndrew Walker: How the China share slump affects the rest of the world
Karishma Vaswani: China counts cost of Black MondayKarishma Vaswani: China counts cost of Black Monday