Asia's depressed stock markets 'make it a time to buy, not sell'

PROTESTS in Hong Kong have caused Asian stock markets to slide, but veteran investor Mark Mobius says a drop in prices is an opportunity to buy rather than to sell.

The executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group told journalists on Wednesday that he is monitoring the standoff in Hong Kong for its impact on the Chinese government.

"If the government can be seen as fair and clean, if it moves the party towards faster implementation of its 10-year programme, there will be a big impact on the stock market.