Which Chinese stock index became the main benchmark of the 2015 Chinese stock-market crash?

The Shanghai Composite became the main benchmark used to describe the 2015 Chinese stock-market crash.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Shanghai Composite Index rose dramatically from mid-2014 into June 2015, helped by strong retail participation and widespread margin borrowing. After peaking on June 12, 2015, it entered a steep decline. By August 2015, the turmoil had become a major international market story.

Chinese authorities responded with measures including trading restrictions, limits on some share sales, and efforts to support prices. The Shenzhen Component and CSI 300 also tracked important parts of the sell-off, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index represented a different market. The Shanghai Composite is the most commonly cited index for the episode because it captures the Shanghai exchange’s broad listed-share performance.