Hong Kong shares close 0.21 percent lower

HONG KONG: Hong Kong shares fell 0.21 percent Thursday on eurozone debt concerns despite the European Central Bank's decision to provide cheap loans to under-pressure lenders.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index shed 38.22 points to end at 18,378.23 on turnover of HK$33.42 billion ($4.26 billion).

Chinese shares closed down 0.22 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, shed 4.85 points to 2,186.30 on turnover of 48.0 billion yuan ($7.6 billion).