[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares lost 0.58 per cent in early trade Thursday, extending a sell-off that has tracked declines on Wall Street.

The Hang Seng index fell 161.57 points to 27,479.34 half an hour after the opening bell.

Chinese shares were mixed following a two-day sell-off, as investors question the sustainability of a recent rally, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.41 per cent, or 17.26 points, to 4,212.01.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, added 0.11 per cent, or 2.53 points, to 2,209.24.

AFP