China’s stock market was at the center of the 2015–2016 stock-market crash.
Chinese mainland shares had risen rapidly during the first half of 2015, encouraged by credit, retail participation, and expectations of continued growth. The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index reached a June 2015 peak before falling sharply over the following months.
Authorities responded with trading suspensions, restrictions on some sales, support for shares, and other measures. The turbulence also affected global markets because investors worried about China’s growth, currency policy, and demand for commodities.
This episode is sometimes described as a single crash, but it consisted of several waves of declines from 2015 into early 2016. It should not be confused with the 2007–2008 Chinese market decline.