HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks closed with a steep loss Wednesday as investors keep a nervous watch on US talks to avert a debt default, with lawmakers making slow progress.

The Hang Seng Index fell 2.09 percent, or 417.68 points, to 19,560.57.

Hong Kong stocks rally at open

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.21 percent, or 6.76 points, to 3,284.23, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China’s second exchange added 0.33 percent, or 6.57 points, to 2,025.95.