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Political Turmoil in Hong Kong Rattles Asian Markets

VOA News

   Asian marketswere mixed Wednesday as concerns over China's proposed
   national security law for Hong Kongovershadowedoptimism for a
   post-pandemic recovery.

   Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.8% bylate afternoon, while
   Shanghai was down 0.3%. TheS&P/ASX in Sydney lost five points for
   theday butwas essentially unchanged percentage wise.

   Japan's Nikkei index ended its trading day 0.7%higher, Taiwan's
   TSECclosed out 0.1% higher, and Seoul's KOSPI gained 1.4 points but was
   also flat percentage wise.

   The United States and other Western nations have denounced the proposed
   national security law, which would preventand punish acts of
   "secession, subversion or terrorism activities." Business groups
   haveexpressed concern the law could weaken Hong Kong's status as a
   global financialhub.

   U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to take action against
   Beijing if the law is approved, adding to increasing tensions between
   the world's two biggest economies.

   Oil markets are also trending downward Wednesday,with U.S. crude
   selling at $33.74 per barrel, down 1.7%, while Brent crude, the
   international benchmark, is also down 1.7%, selling at $35.53 per
   barrel.

   Meanwhile,Europeanindexes in London, Paris and Frankfurt all began
   their trading sessions in positive territory, while all three major
   U.S. indexes are higher infutures trading.

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