
Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index sank 3.31 percent, or 700.94 points, to 20,485.38 in the first few minutes.
Shanghai fell 1.47 percent, or 45.54 points, to 3,055.22, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, retreated 1.60 percent, or 27.78 points, to 1,710.14.