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Asian markets continue their slide Chinese shares slide in another day of volatile trade
(about 1 hour later)
Asian markets continued to fall on Wednesday as worries about China's growth took their toll. Asian markets continued to fall on Wednesday, with Shanghai opening down more than 4% amid continuing worries about China's growth.
Data suggesting China's manufacturing sector was shrinking at its fastest pace in three years ignited a global market sell-off on Tuesday, resulting in US stocks closing down nearly 3%. On Tuesday, data suggesting China's manufacturing sector was shrinking at its fastest pace in three years ignited a global market sell-off, resulting in US stocks closing down nearly 3%.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 1.3% in early trading at 17,937.3. The Shanghai Composite recovered some ground to trade down 3.6% to 3,054.17.
It led the region's losses in the previous session, losing nearly 4%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was lower by 1.7% to 20,818.22 in early trade.
Data showing US factory activity fell to a more than two-year low in August added to the already grim sentiment among investors. Chinese markets close on Wednesday evening for a two-day holiday to commemorate the end of World War Two.
Meanwhile, crude oil futures continued downwards after plunging 8% overnight on fears of how slowing Chinese growth would impact demand. Mainland Chinese stocks have lost nearly 40% of their value since June, despite attempts by the government and regulators to prop up the market.
Investors are also bracing for another volatile day of trade in Chinese markets before they close for a two-day holiday to commemorate the end of World War Two. Meanwhile, data showing US factory activity fell to a more than two-year low in August added to the already grim sentiment among investors.
Growth in focus Crude oil futures also continued downwards after an 8% fall in US trade, amid concerns about the impact on demand of slowing Chinese growth.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was lower by 1% at 5,046.7 points as investors awaited economic growth figures for the second quarter, which were due later in the morning session. Rest of Asia
The economy is expected to have grown 2.2% from a year ago, which is much lower than the mining boom years' average of about 3.3%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.8% to 18,296.67 after leading the region's losses in the previous session, down nearly 4%.
In South Korea, shares were also lower after government data showed that exports fell 4.3% in July, while imports rose 0.7%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was lower by 1.2% at 5,036.60 points as economic growth figures for the second quarter came in below expectations.
That led the current account surplus to fall to $9.5bn (£6.2bn) in seasonally-adjusted terms from a record high of $10.7bn in June. The economy expanded 0.2% from the previous quarter and was up 2% compared with the same period last year.
The benchmark Kospi index was down 1.5% at 1,885.31. Economists were expecting quarterly growth of 0.4% while the annual rate was forecast to be up 2.2%.
In South Korea, shares were also lower after government data showed exports fell 4.3% in July, while imports rose 0.7%.
That led the current account surplus to fall to $9.5bn (£6.2bn) in seasonally adjusted terms from a record high of $10.7bn in June.
The benchmark Kospi index was down 0.3% at 1,908.50.