Hong Kong stocks close 1.23% lower

Hong Kong stocks plunged 271.83 points, or 1.23 percent to close at 21,813.92 on Tuesday.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index opened 0.24 percent lower and soon retreated to the day low of 21,779.92. The gauge regained the ground lost in the morning by midday but failed to stand above the level in the afternoon.

Turnover contracted to 68.45 billion HK dollars from Monday's 70.06 billion.

Source: Xinhua