The Hang Seng Index was down 0.66 percent, or 188.23 points, at 28,406.07.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was 0.32 percent, or 9.30 points lower, at 2,928.06.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, fell 0.30 percent, or 4.72 points, to open at 1,568.08.