Trading halts as volatility hits markets

Sell-off triggers use of new circuit breaker; investors urged to be rational and cautious

Chinese equities plunged on Monday, marking the worst-ever start of a year, as the intensity of the sell-off startled investors who sought to dump shares to avoid further volatility.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slumped by 6.86 percent, or 242.92 points, to close at 3,296.26. The smaller Shenzhen Component Index suffered an even heavier loss, down by 8.2 percent, or 1,038.85 points, to close at 11,626.04.