Stocking up: In the 1980s, China was on track to become a manufacturing and export powerhouse. However, continued economic growth also rested on the development of robust financial markets. Recognizing this need, in 1990 China established the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), seen here on Dec. 19, 1997. By the end of 2007, the exchange counted 71.3 million investors and boasted a market capitalization of nearly $3.7 trillion. As the current global financial crisis deepens, though, China’s stock markets face challenges. The value of the SSE’s main index has fallen about 60 percent this year.