HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Hang Seng index on Friday fell more than 4 percent, nosediving below the 20,000 mark as early results of Britain's referendum on European Union (EU) membership showed the Leave side winning.

The Kong Kong index fell 974 points to 19,894 at noon.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Norman Chan said on Thursday that Hong Kong markets will be able to withstand any shock that arises in case Britain votes to leave the European Union.