Hong Kong stocks start the day with losses

The Hang Seng Index dipped 0.61 percent, or 178.71 points, to 28,987.67.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.15 percent, or 4.91 points, to 3,287.53 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, eased 0.13 percent, or 2.53 points, to 1,912.47.