Asia Crumbles on U.S. Debt Situation

Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, tracking declines on Wall Street as investor sentiment soured on fears that a new U.S. budget bill could substantially add to the country’s debt.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 retreated 313.11 points, or 0.8%, to 36,985.87. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 283.47 points, or 1.2%, to 23,544.31.In other markets In China, the CSI 300 inched back 2.52 points, or 0.1%, to 3,913.86. In Korea, the Kospi index fell 31.91 points, or 1.2%, to 2,593.67In Taiwan, the Taiex Index weakened 132.95 points, or 0.6%, to 21,670.96In Singapore, the Straits Times index slipped 2.46 points, or 0.1%, to 3,880.09In New Zealand, the NZX 50 stumbled 40.85 points, or 0.3%, to 12,662.25.In Australia, the ASX 200 dumped 38.11 points, or 0.5%, to 8,348.65