The Hang Seng Index fell 204 points, or 0.87 percent, to open at 23,249.16 on Friday.

The retreat came as stocks across the border started lower, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index losing 0.18 percent to 3,374.71 in opening trades.

The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.28 percent lower at 10,157.68.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 0.36 percent to open at 2,035.87.

The region got off to a good start with Australian shares jumping to an over two-month high, led by gains in banks and miners, ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy decision next week, when the central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose as much as 1.2 percent to 8,398.2, its highest level since February 20. The index was on track to log its eighth consecutive session of gains.

The Nikkei Stock Average opened at 37,748.58, down 6.93 points, or 0.02 percent.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened at 2,630.64, up 9.28 points, or 0.35 percent.(Xinhua/Reuters)