(Reuters) […]  On Wednesday, more than 500 China-listed firms announced trading halts, bringing the total number to around 1,300, almost half of China’s roughly 2,800 “A share” listed companies.

[…]  China’s stock market has so far tumbled 30 percent from its mid-June peak, reversing a year-long, highly-leveraged bull run, and wiping out nearly $3 trillion in market capitalization.

A slew of government support measures, including direct purchases of blue chips, a central bank pledge of liquidity support, and a halt in initial public offerings, has not been able to stem the slide.

On Wednesday morning, stocks fell across the board, with only 83 stocks rising and 1,439 falling.  (read more)

(Via CNN) “At the moment there is a mood of panic in the market and a large increase in irrational dumping of shares, causing a strain of liquidity in the stock market,” China Securities Regulatory Commission said in statement.  (read more)