Shares of Chinese companies traded in Hong Kong have fallen to their lowest level in almost 19 years. This decline is largely due to the lack of new economic incentives and market support, which has increased investor pessimism. Thus, the Hang Seng China Enterprise Index (CEI) fell by 2.96%, reaching 4,975.3 points, which is the lowest level since July 2005. This decline has made HSCE one of the worst performing key indexes in Asia. Chinese tech giants, including Meituan and Tencent Holdings, were particularly hard hit, with shares losing 5.5% and 3.46% respectively. Also, the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index in the Chinese mainland market fell by 1.56%, reaching the level of 3,218.9 points. This drop intensified after the decision of commercial lenders in China to keep loan rates at the same level. Which, in turn, followed a similar decision by the People's Bank of China: The base loan rates for first-class borrowers remained at 3.45% for a year, and at 4.2% for five years. Such a decision may disappoint investors who were counting on more aggressive economic incentives. Analysts also point to the lack of catalysts for growth in the Chinese market in the near future and the outflow of investments into more attractive alternatives in the region. It is noted that global markets are growing in the chip sector, and in this area China and the rest of the world may go their separate ways due to geopolitical tensions.
