Chinese investors were lifted by signals that Beijing would prioritise growth but its markets are still set for their largest monthly fall since 2016

Market attention has now jumped to China’s capital where authorities are in a race to keep a lid on the latest coronavirus outbreak

China’s worsening Covid situation saw its stock markets suffer their worst day in 27 months with investors worried over its impact on global supply chains

Chinese stocks neared two-year lows as Shanghai extended its lockdown restrictions, hitting hopes of growth in the world’s No2 economy

Chinese and Hong Kong shares dipped to four-week lows and the yuan fell to its lowest in six months as Shanghai’s Covid lockdown continued

Markets were surprised by central bank’s caution knocking optimism over Beijing’s pledges to support China’s slowing economy

Chinese mainland stocks also closed down as Covid concerns outweighed the boost of support pledges from Beijing

China stocks closed up after Beijing promised a cut in the reserve requirement ratio, while Hong Kong and Tokyo were buoyed by falls in US bond yields

Chinese investors were in downbeat mood as Covid outbreaks and weak imports dented sentiment while traders in Hong Kong and Tokyo shrugged off soaring US prices

But the picture elsewhere was less hopeful as world stocks slipped to their lowest levels in almost a month

Chinese stocks suffered their biggest fall in a month as Covid restrictions and inflation worries weighed heavily on investors

Economists expect Beijing to step in with monetary easing measures to prop up the economy and make sure China hits its 5.5% growth target for this year