Singapore shares fell on Wednesday, following a HSBC manufacturing report showing persisting weakness in the Chinese economy.

The local benchmark Straits Times Index fell 19.52 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 3,258.01.

Regional bourses were also mostly lower, with Hong Kong Hang Seng down 1 per cent and Shanghai retreating 0.3 per cent.

Trading in Singapore was relatively muted, with just 1.76 billion shares worth $1.13 billion changing hands.

There were 160 gainers, versus 282 losers.

HanKore Environment was the top active, rising 0.2 cents to 12.2 cents.

CapitaMalls Asia remained in the spotlight after a takeover bid from parent CapitaLand. It rose a cent to $2.22, the price at which CapitaLand has offered to buy up all the shares in CMA it does not already own.