The Hang Seng Index fell 0.1 per cent to 21,395.10 as of 10.06am local time. The Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 1.1 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index both retreated 0.4 per cent.
CK Hutchison Holdings advanced 2.9 per cent to HK$42.30 and Alibaba Group Holding gained 1.9 per cent to HK$110.20. On the flip side, chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp slid 3.5 per cent to HK$45.80 and Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group lost 3.2 per cent to HK$27.10.
While the Trump administration was considering a temporary tariff exemption on cars, the US Commerce Department said it would start investigations into the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries that could lead to possible levies on the two sectors.
Meanwhile, China’s statistics bureau will release first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data on Wednesday. The GDP probably grew 5.2 per cent in the first three months, according to Bloomberg.
Two companies started trading. Duality Biotherapeutics surged 128 per cent to HK$216.00 in Hong Kong and organic pigment maker Trust Chem jumped 353 per cent to 58.22 yuan in Shenzhen.
