HONG KONG, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks extended their slide on Thursday as risk-averse investors pushed the Hang Seng Index below a key support, putting at risk the benchmark's slim gains for the year.
The Hang Seng Index <.HSI> closed down 1.33 percent at 22,668.78, underperforming the rest of Asia and closing below the 22,800 mark, a closely watched level below which the index could fall to the August low around 20,400. (Repporting by Vikram Subhedar; Editing by Chris Lewis) (vikram.subhedar@thomsonreuters.com; +852 2843 6975; Reuters Messaging: vikram.subhedar.reuters.com@reuters.net))