Chinese shares slide in another day of volatile trade

Asian markets continued to fall on Wednesday, with Shanghai opening down more than 4% amid continuing worries about China's growth, BBC reports.

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%.

The Shanghai Composite recovered some ground to trade down 3.6% to 3,054.17.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was lower by 1.7% to 20,818.22 in early trade.

Chinese markets close on Wednesday evening for a two-day holiday to commemorate the end of World War Two.

Mainland Chinese stocks have lost nearly 40% of their value since June, despite attempts by the government and regulators to prop up the market.

Meanwhile, data showing US factory activity fell to a more than two-year low in August added to the already grim sentiment among investors.

Crude oil futures also continued downwards after an 8% fall in US trade, amid concerns about slowing demand from China.