HONG KONG: Hong Kong shares ended lower on Monday, weighed down by rising tensions between Beijing and Washington and uncertainty over a possible US stimulus package, even as new data supported hopes of a recovery in China.

At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index was down 154.19 points or 0.63% at 24,377.43. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index fell 0.72% to 9,990.67.

Worsening tensions between the United States and China continued to drag down market sentiment after Beijing's top representative office in Hong Kong denounced sanctions imposed by Washington on senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials.

Shares in index heavyweight Tencent Holdings Ltd dropped 4.83% on Monday. The company's shares have fallen more than 10.5% since Wednesday, with the rout deepening after US President Donald Trump signed executive orders banning Chinese social media platforms WeChat - owned by Tencent - and TikTok starting next month.