HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks opened lower Monday following a weak lead from Wall Street, while traders kept a worried eye on the Middle East as Israel stepped up its air and ground operations against Hamas in Gaza.

The Hang Seng Index lost 0.99 percent, or 173.08 points, to 17,225.65.

Hong Kong stocks begin with gains

The Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.27 percent, or 8.17 points, to 3,009.61, and the Shenzhen Composite Index on China’s second exchange fell 0.21 percent, or 3.82 points, to 1,854.79.