Hong Kong, mainland markets down sharply

Hong Kong stocks opened on Monday morning sharply lower, in line with a sell-off across Asia and following a painful end to last week for Wall Street as traders prepare for a big interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve next month.

The Hang Seng Index sank 1.71 percent to 20,285.

The Shanghai Composite Index also shed 1.71 percent to 3,034, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China’s second exchange lost 1.79 percent to 1,880. (AFP)