中國製造業疲軟亞洲股市下挫

Sluggish economic activity in China and falling oil prices triggered a steep decline aMong Asian stock markets during Monday's early trading.

Investors pulled out of the markets after a private survey showed China's manufacturing activity in July falling to its loWest levels in two years. Economists say that suggests more rough water ahead for the world's second largest economy.

Oil prices were also trading lower Monday, with the benchmark U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipping to $46.85, while Brent crude oil was trading at $51.91. Copper prices also fell during Monday's trading,

The Shanghai index slumped over 1.5 percent, while Seoul's Kospi index dropped nearly one percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost as much as one percent.中國經濟增長速度減緩以及油價跌落導致亞洲股市星期一開市後呈跌勢。

一傢俬營機構公佈的數據顯示，中國製造業7月份的生產水平降到兩年來的最低點，此後投資者們紛紛從股市抽身。經濟學家們說，這意味着作爲世界第二大經濟體的中國面臨着更大的麻煩。

石油價格星期一下跌。在星期一的交易中，美國西德州中級原油基準價格跌至每桶46.85美元，布倫特原油價格跌至51.91美元。

滬指下跌1.5個百分點，首爾綜合指數下挫將近一個百分點，香港恆生指數下跌一個百分點。