The Hang Seng Index lost 0.67 percent, or 175.08 points, to 25,976.24.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index retreated 1.56 percent, or 43.94 points, to close at 2,777.56. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, fell 1.78 percent, or 26.97 points, to 1,490.30.