China's new market circuit breakers were put to test on the first day of trading for 2016 when in the the worst-ever start, Chinese shares triggered a trading halt in more than $7 trillion of equities, futures and options. Trading was halted at about 1:34 p.m. local time on Monday after the CSI 300 Index dropped 7 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. An earlier 15-minute suspension at the 5 percent level failed to stop the retreat, with shares extending losses as soon as the market re-opened. Traders said the halts took effect as anticipated without any major technical problems.