CAN FOLLOW SOUTH KOREA The troubles in South Korea as well as fears of economic decline in Hong Kong have led to a general fall in share prices in stock markets across Asia.

The fall in Hong Kong followed remarks from the chief executive, Tung Chee-Hwa, that Hong Kong could be facing economic decline for the first time in thirteen years.

Experts believe last October's Asian currency crisis triggered the latest problems in Hong Kong -- these include plummeting spending by both residents and tourists, high unemployment and falling property prices.

The general Asia-wide fall in share prices is also being attributed to an earlier fall on Wall Street with US investors dumping Japanese and other internationalstocks to cover losses.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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