With Tokyo markets shut Hong Kong shares fall ahead of a long holiday
weekend. Commodities crumble as investors shun risk.

Asia stocks fell on Thursday with Hong Kong listed China plays among the
worst performers.

Renewed fears about a U.S. recession haunted investors along with a sharp
fall on Wall Street.

Weak results from the world's most valuable energy producer PetroChina
weighed on Hong Kong's  Hang Seng Index.

 The Chinese oil giant posted a small rise in second half earnings with
losses in its refining division hurting.

Sliding gold prices also hurt resource shares across the region.

Australia's BHP Billiton slumped more than 8 percent in a shortened trading
session ahead of the Easter holiday.

On the upside Korean exporters such as Samsung eked out gains thanks to
weakening Won currency.

In Taiwan, markets rose ahead of weekend elections, which are expected to
herald closer ties with mainland china.

Some investors expect a new president will boost trade ties to help
Taiwan's sagging economy. 

Tara Joseph-Hui reporting for Reuters.