Hong Kong stocks ended lower Wednesday as trade uncertainties between US and China continue to loom and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority intervened in the currency market for the sixth time in about three weeks.

The Hang Seng Index fell 72.36 points, or 0.29%, to 24,517.76, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index declined 15.71 points, or 0.18%, to 8,861.39.

US President Donald Trump said his country would be battling China "in a very friendly fashion," Reuters reported Wednesday. Trump made the remarks after signing a trade agreement with Indonesia.

China's export performance could hang in the balance after the US started introducing a dual-level tariff structure on Vietnamese imports: 20% for direct imports and 40% for what the US deems as Chinese transshipments, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's de facto central bank purchased about HK$14.83 billion to maintain the local currency's peg to the US dollar.

HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue earlier warned that persistent outflows could continue to pressure the Hong Kong dollar, citing weaker demand linked to dividend payouts, IPO repatriation, and the completion of half-year funding.

He added that interbank rates may rise as the aggregate balance declines.

In corporate news, Virtual Mind (HKG:1520) closed 47% higher after the apparel maker agreed to sell shares representing one fifth of the business for HK$82.5 million.

Meanwhile, Pharmaron Beijing (HKG:3759, SHE:300759) fell over 7% after flagging an up to 39% expected decline in its profit for the first six months of the year.