George Soros has started trading again as he warns China's market woes reflect the early signs of the 2008 financial crisis.

The renowned investor, who won billions with a landmark bet against British sterling in the early nineties, has been absent from the stock market of late.

But according to the Wall Street Journal, the billionaire hedge fund founder has recently made a number of significant moves that have ominous implications for the global economy.

Last quarter, Soros bought gold, threw his influential backing behind gold miners, and shorted stocks, sources close to Soros Fund Management told the Journal's Gregory Zuckerman.

Responding to the news, Soros told Zuckerman in an email that he had serious concerns about an impending financial crisis.

Making waves: George Soros (pictured) recently made a number of moves that have ominous implications for the global economy. Last quarter, he reportedly bought gold, bet on gold miners, and shorted stocks

'China is facing internal conflict within its political leadership, and over the coming year this will complicate its ability to deal with financial issues,' Soros said.

He also turned his attention to Britain's upcoming referendum on the European Union, backing the Vote Stay campaign.

Soros said recent strength in the British pound was a sign that a vote to exit the EU is less likely.

And he said he was confident that support for Britain to remain in the European Union would rise ahead of the June 23 vote.

'I'm confident that as we get closer to the Brexit vote, the 'remain' camp is getting stronger,' Soros was quoted by the Journal as saying. 'Markets are not always right, but in this case I agree with them.'

Soros told the Journal there remained a good chance that the European Union will collapse due to the migration crisis, challenges in Greece and a potential British exit from the EU.

'If Britain leaves, it could unleash a general exodus, and the disintegration of the European Union will become practically unavoidable,' Soros told the Journal.

While betting odds have consistently indicated an In vote, opinion pollsters have so far painted contradictory pictures of how Britons will vote.