Major Asian stock markets closed lower Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index plunged more than two percent to finish at 9,637.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost nearly two percent to finish the day's trading at 21,993.

Share prices were also lower in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.13 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,665.85 an ounce.