HONG KONG, Jan 6 — Hong Kong stocks closed sharply lower today, extending losses from last week fuelled by fears of a Middle East conflict after the US assassinated a top Iranian general.

The Hang Seng index fell 0.79 per cent, or 225.31 points, to 28,226.19.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was barely moved, inching 0.38 points down to 3,083.41, though the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, added 0.44 per cent, or 7.83 points, to 1,768.68. — AFP