The Shenzhen Component Index, a tech-heavy benchmark, had its worst day in nearly two years, plunging 3.5%. It’s the worst start to a year for Chinese stocks since 2016, when investors were ditching their holdings following a market crash in 2015. The country’s economy grew by 5.2% last year. That beat government projections but is still one of China’s worst economic performances in over three decades. The International Monetary Fund forecasts the country’s economic growth to slow to 4.2% this year.

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Persons: Ken Cheung, ”, Europe’s, Premier Li Qiang, Brian Martin, Daniel Hynes, Li, “, ” Stephen Innes, managing Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Shenzhen Component, Mizuho Bank, CSI, Nikkei, Premier, Economic, ANZ Research, Monetary Fund, China’s Commerce Ministry, Investors Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, China, United States