The Hang Seng Index sank 0.77 percent, or 200.84 points, to 25,764.58.

But the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.14 percent, or 4.37 points, to 3,192.43 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, rose 0.29 percent, or 5.42 points, to 1,897.69.