The Hang Seng Index fell 0.59 percent, or 168.26 points to 28,303.36.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.31 percent, or 9.00 points, to 2,921.55, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, lost 0.35 percent, or 5.46 points, to 1,551.31.