The Hang Seng Index was down 1.02 percent, or 286.09 points, at 28,860.41.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.27 percent, or 7.94 points, at 2944.40.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, lost 0.22 percent, or 3.52 points, to open at 1578.55.