China's main stock index plunged 7.22 per cent today in what was its third biggest daily fall this decade amid sliding overseas markets.
The Shanghai Composite Index ended at a five-month low of 4,559.751 points, after sliding as low as 4,511.953 late in the afternoon. The index has lost 17 per cent over the past six trading days.
Losers overwhelmed gainers by 853 to 16 in Shanghai, with over 400 Shanghai A shares falling their 10 per cent daily limits.
Turnover in Shanghai A shares rose to an active 153.8 billion yuan ($21.2 billion) from Monday's 129.8 billion yuan.
Insurance stocks led the slide with China Life and Ping An Insurance, the country's biggest life insurers, dropping their 10 per cent limits. Ping An did so for the second straight day.