China
Chinese equities closed lower Friday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index went down 0.7 percent, or 20.06 points, to close at 2,835.16 points.
The Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.69 percent, or 87.73 points, to close at 12,556.85 points.
Combined turnover shrank to 185.28 billion yuan (27.7 billion U.S. dollars), from 209.64 billion yuan on the previous trading day.
Hong Kong shares closed 0.30 per cent lower on Friday, on trading day shorted for the Christmas holiday.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped 69.17 points to 22,833.80. Turnover was 23.63 billion Hong Kong dollars (S$4 billion).
The index will be closed on Monday for the Christmas holiday and will trade for just half a day on Dec 31.
Japan
Tokyo stocks closed slightly lower Friday with the key Nikkei index down 0.65 percent.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Average lost 67.29 points, or 0.65 percent, from Wednesday to 10,279.19. The broader Topix index shed 4.12 points, or 0.45 percent, to 901.66.
The decline was led by the sea transport sector, which was followed by the insurance and warehouse sectors. The mining, air transport, and oil and coal products sectors were among the winners.
Trading volume on the main section contracted to 1,283 million shares from 1,932 million on Wednesday.
Australia
Australian stocks fell 0.45 percent as they met a key chart resistance level on Friday on softer metal prices and with investors wary of entering positions ahead of a four-day holiday weekend.
The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 21.72 points to 4,777.30, according to latest data. It was trading around the key resistance level of 4,800 for most part of the day.
