Hong Kong shares fall as tech stocks extend losses, Hang Seng Tech hits 7-month low

Hong Kong stocks fell on Thursday, with technology shares leading the decline as the sector extended recent weakness.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index slipped 0.82 percent to 26,627. The Hang Seng Tech Index fell 1.31 percent to 5,295, hitting its lowest point in nearly seven months.

Major tech stocks remained under pressure. Alibaba (9988) slid 2.5 percent, Tencent (0700) fell 1.4 percent, Meituan (3690) lost 2 percent, JD.com (9618) declined 1.5 percent and Xiaomi (1810) eased 0.5 percent.

Education firm New Oriental Education & Technology (9901) dropped more than 4 percent, making it the worst-performing blue-chip stock in early trading.