Asian shares continue downward trend Asian stocks saw sharp falls on Friday as mounting concerns over China's slowing eco**my continued to affect global markets.It follows big falls in US and European markets on Thursday, with the Dow Jones dropping more than 2%.After falling more than 3% on Thursday, China's Shanghai Composite index was down 3% at 3,552.82.Data released on Friday morning showed Chinese factory activity fell to its lowest level in more than six years.