HONG KONG: Asian investors resumed their share sell-off on Monday as fears over unrest in the Arab
world sent oil prices back up, while China's decision to lower its growth target also weighed on sentiment.
Tokyo slipped 0.62 percent by the break, Hong Kong fell 0.22 percent in early trade and Sydney edged 0.25
percent down while Seoul dropped 1.12 percent. Shanghai was 0.23 percent off. Taipei was closed for a
public holiday.
Markets on Friday took a breather to mostly post gains after a tough week that saw heavy selling as oil
prices soared on the back of violence in the Arab world, which stoked supply concerns. However, the losses
resumed on Monday as crude rose again -- despite the OPEC oil cartel and Saudi Arabia saying they would
be able to meet any shortfall -- as the Arab world continued to be rocked by protests.
