The Hang Seng Index was down 1.13 percent, or 290.96 points, to 25,462.46.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.38 percent, or 9.51 points, to 2,506.74, and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, fell 0.26 percent, or 3.34 points, to 1,281.32.