China's stock market resumed its volatile plunges on Monday, as worries over the slowing economy and the government's ability to manage it sent traders fleeing, dealers said. 

Investors have been alarmed by slowing growth in the world's second-largest economy, which is expected to have expanded last year at its slowest pace in a quarter of a century. Official data on fourth-quarter and annual growth is due to be released next week.

Oil prices fell further Monday on persistent worries about China's growth slowdown and a supply glut, but analysts said tensions between producer giants Iran and Saudi Arabia could provide some support.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery was down 65 cents at $32.51 by 0600 GMT, while Brent was down 75 cents at $32.80.

Volkswagen chief executive Matthias Mueller will face a skeptical U.S. public on Sunday for the first time since American regulators accused the German automaker of cheating emissions tests.

VW's "apology tour" is expected to be a sharp contrast from the exuberance displayed by its competitors when the Detroit auto show formally opens Monday amid record-breaking U.S. sales.

China's consumer inflation rate crept higher in December, official data showed Saturday, as the world's second-largest economy struggles with slower growth.

The consumer price index (CPI) -- a main gauge of inflation -- rose 1.6 percent last month from a year ago, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a statement, in line with the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists.

State-owned Saudi Aramco, the world's largest crude oil producer and exporter, said Friday it is considering a public share offer.

The company "has been studying various options to allow broad public participation in its equity", a statement said.

Samsung Electronics on Friday flagged a 15 percent increase in 2015 Q4 operating profit, rounding off a year in which the world's largest smartphone producer struggled with fierce competition from arch-rival Apple and cut-price Chinese competitors. 

In an earnings estimate, the South Korean tech giant predicted an operating profit of 6.1 trillion won ($5.1 billion) for the October-December period, up from 5.4 trillion won a year earlier.

A recent rally in the yen fizzled on Friday after Chinese authorities moved to stop wild market volatility stoked by concerns about the world's number two economy, a major driver of global growth.

The hair-raising losses on mainland Chinese markets this week had prompted a flight to Japan's currency -- seen as a safe bet in times of turmoil and uncertainty.

American financier George Soros warned Thursday that weaker world markets, triggered by a slowdown in China, were showing signs of a financial crisis reminiscent of the 2008 crash. 

Speaking at an investment forum in Sri Lanka, the magnate and philanthropist said China's flagging economy and subsequent devaluation of its currency were undermining global financial stability.

Eurozone unemployment dropped to its lowest level in four years in November, official data showed on Thursday, beating analyst expectations despite lingering doubts about the strength of the economy in Europe.

The European Union's Eurostat agency said unemployment in the 19-country single currency bloc fell to 10.5 percent in November from a revised 10.6 percent in October, reaching the lowest level since October 2011.

Oil prices plunged close to $33 a barrel on Thursday as crude extended losses on rising U.S. energy stockpiles and China's weakening currency.

At 0615 GMT, U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery was down 88 cents, or 2.59 percent, at $33.09, the lowest since touching $32.40 in December 2008 during the global financial crisis.