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HONG KONG

THE HANG SENG index slid to a lower close yesterday as a result of investor worries about interest rates, Sino-US relations and first quarter gross domestic product figures out today. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index ended down 100.63 points, or 0.81 per cent, at 12,308.53.

One analyst said: "I think there's a bit of a worry that it was a dead- cat bounce in the US. People are not convinced by a one-day bounce and would like to see a bit more support to feel comfortable."