China
Chinese equities closed lower on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.9 percent, or 26.21 points, to close at 2,877.9 points.
The Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.82 percent, or 105.49 points, to close at 12,766.95 points.
Combined turnover shrank to 239.84 billion yuan (36.03 billion U.S. dollars) from 259.64 billion yuan on the previous trading day.
Hong Kong stocks closed up 51.33 points, or 0.22 percent, at 23,045.19 on Wednesday.
Turnover shrank to 54.2 billion Hong Kong dollars from Tuesday's 59.95 billion Hong Kong dollars. (1 U.S. dollar is 7.773 HK dollars).
Japan
Tokyo stocks closed slightly lower with the key Nikkei index down 0.23 percent.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Average shed 24.05 points from Tuesday to 10,346.48. The broader Topix index contracted 0.43 point, or 0. 05 percent to 905.78.
The decline was led by the precision machinery sector, which was followed by the machinery and air transport sectors. Real estate, consumer finance and nonferrous metal issues were among the winners.
Trading volume on the main section expanded to 1,932 million shares from 1,609 million on Tuesday.
Australia
The Australian share market closed marginally higher on low trading volumes after gains by mining giant BHP Billiton offset weaker performances by the banks.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 6.5 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 4,778.4 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index lifted 7.1 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 4,869.6 points.
