中国制造业疲软亚洲股市下挫

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.中国经济增长速度减缓以及油价跌落导致亚洲股市星期一开市后呈跌势。

一家私营机构公布的数据显示，中国制造业7月份的生产水平降到两年来的最低点，此后投资者们纷纷从股市抽身。经济学家们说，这意味着作为世界第二大经济体的中国面临着更大的麻烦。

石油价格星期一下跌。在星期一的交易中，美国西德州中级原油基准价格跌至每桶46.85美元，布伦特原油价格跌至51.91美元。

沪指下跌1.5个百分点，首尔综合指数下挫将近一个百分点，香港恒生指数下跌一个百分点。