China's share market plunged again on Tuesday, resulting in the worst four-day performance in almost 20 years, as Beijing stayed on the sidelines, signalling it has abandoned its policy of aggressive intervention to prop up the market.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 7.6 per cent to 2,965.15, dropping below 3000 for the first time since Christmas day last year. The index has fallen 22 per cent over the past four days. On both Monday and Tuesday, more than 2000 stocks fell by their 10 per cent limit.