Which benchmark index became the main symbol of China’s 2015 stock-market crash?

The Shanghai Composite became the main symbol of China’s 2015 stock-market crash.

The index measures the performance of shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. After reaching a seven-year high in June 2015, it fell sharply over the following months. The decline was accompanied by emergency government measures, trading halts, and concerns about leverage among retail investors.

The turbulence also affected other Chinese markets, including the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, so the Shanghai Composite was not the only index involved. International markets reacted as investors worried about China’s economic growth and the possible effects on global demand.

The 2015 episode is often called the Chinese stock-market crash, but it was part of broader turbulence extending into 2016. It is separate from China’s later market disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.