Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks started Wednesday morning slightly lower after a surge a day earlier that was fuelled by an unverified statement saying China was forming a committee to discuss rolling back some of its painful zero-Covid measures.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.43 percent to 15,390.

The Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.29 percent to 2,961, while the Shenzhen Composite Index eased 0.21 percent to 1,938. (AFP)