The Hang Seng Index shed 1.24 percent, or 364.38 points, to 26,922.03 in early trade.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.51 percent, or 13.73 points, to 2,667.91, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks China's second exchange, sank 1.14 percent, or 16.01 points, to 1,368.50.