Asian equities slide: Hang Seng -2.6%, Nikkei -1% on risk-off sentiment

Asian markets opened lower with the Hang Seng falling 2.6% and the Nikkei 225 down 1%, though the Nikkei remains up nearly 3% for the week. The broad decline suggests a risk-off shift in regional sentiment, but the cause is unspecified in the source. The move matters as it may signal a regional repricing ahead of global macro cues.