China and Hong Kong shares weaken as stable growth eases

China and Hong Kong stocks weakened on Tuesday, joining a broader retreat in the region, after Beijing kept key lending rates unchanged and stronger GDP data dampened expectations for additional stimulus



China's blue-chip CSI300 Index dropped 0.5% by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index was 0.1% weaker



** Dragging the broader market lower, the CSI Banks Index and the financial sector were both down 1.4%. The gold-related sector weakened 1.2% as bullion prices continued to slip



In Hong Kong, the city's benchmark Hang Seng was down 1%, and the Hang Seng Tech Index slid 1.2% to a two-year low