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Hong Kong - Most Asian markets came under fresh selling pressure on Monday, while the dollar dipped and oil hit multi-year lows, following another round of losses on Wall Street fuelled by global growth concerns.
However, Shanghai pared initial heavy losses and Hong Kong ended in positive territory after Chinese official data showed a better than expected rise in the mainland's exports and imports.
Investors are warily watching events in Hong Kong as clashes erupted in the city between pro-democracy protesters and masked men, hours after police began removing barricades that have blocked some main roads for the past two weeks.
Shanghai, which sank more than 1% in early trade, ended down 0.36% at 2 366.01 points.
Hong Kong reversed morning losses to close 0.24% higher at 23 143.38.
Sydney gave up 32.8 points, to close at 5 155.5 and Seoul eased 0.71% to 1 927.21.
Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.
Global markets have felt the effect in recent weeks as traders fret over the state of the global economy, with China, the eurozone and Japan struggling even though the United States is clawing its way back to health.
The latest indicators on the global outlook came from Beijing Monday, with official data showing September exports rose 15.3% year-on-year and imports climbed 7.0%.
The rise in exports accelerated from August's 9.4% and was ahead of the median forecast of 12.5%. The forecast had predicted a fall of 2.4% in imports, matching a surprise decline in August.
Customs spokesperson Zheng Yuesheng attributed the improvement to a recovery in major economies and a strengthening of external demand.
"The good momentum is expected to continue in the fourth quarter," he added.
But while the figures beat expectations, traders are still worried about the strength of world's number-two economy.
Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets, told Dow Jones Newswires the data "was a lot more disappointing than we had expected" and "cements the view that China might be in for quite a hard landing".
Hong Kong clashes
On currency markets, the dollar eased to ¥107.36 from ¥107.65 in New York on Friday, while the euro was at $1.2665 against $1.2627.
The single currency was also at ¥136.01, from ¥135.97.
The yen, which is considered a safe bet in times of turmoil, has rallied in the past as equities markets have fallen.
Wall Street's three main indexes ended in the red on Friday. The Dow fell 0.69%, the S&P 500 tumbled 1.15% and the Nasdaq slumped 2.33%.
In Hong Kong dozens of masked men rushed barricades at the main pro-democracy site on Monday, triggering clashes, hours after police had moved in to remove some barriers and shrink the site.
Taxi drivers, many of whom have voiced frustration with more than two weeks of protests that have blocked roads and caused traffic gridlock, added to the fray by converging on the site - beeping horns and shouting at demonstrators.
Oil prices tumbled again on pessimism about demand. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for November delivery fell $1.45 to $84.37 - its weakest for two years - while Brent North Sea crude lost $1.79 to a four-year low of $88.42.
Gold was at $1 230.30 an ounce against $1 222.00 late on Friday.
In other markets:
- Taipei tumbled 2.84% to 8 711.39 points.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing shed 3.6% to Tw$120.5 while leading chip design house MediaTek lost 4.05% to Tw$403.0.
- Wellington fell 1.05% to 5 170.05 points. Air New Zealand closed down 2.13% at NZ$1.84 and Fletcher Building was off 0.57% at NZ$8.67.
- Manila plunged 2.78% to 6 968.09 points. Alliance Global fell 4.96% to 24.90 pesos while Ayala Land dived 4.62% to 32 pesos. GT Capital shed 2.78% to 1 050 pesos.
