Taipei  - Taiwan stocks fell more than 4 per cent by mid-morning Monday as investors worried about the global economic slump.

The Taiex dropped 236.53 points, or 4.12 per cent, to close at 5,505.

"Major Asian shares dived today because, despite the passing of the 700-billion-US-dollar rescue package in the US Congress, many Americans don't think the package can solve all of America's economic problems," said Chiu Hsin-lin, executive vice president of the Industrial Bank of Taiwan Securities.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell to a four-year low Monday on worries about the financial crisis, despite US Congressional approval of a Wall Street bail-out.

The benchmark Nikkei index was trading midday (4:43 GMT) at 10,434.17, down 503.97 points, or 4.60 per cent.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues fell below the psychological marker of 1,000 points for the first time since December 2003.

Indian stock markets plunged sharply as the global credit crisis deteriorated. 

After a week of tumult, the US government has finally cleared $700 billion bailout package on Friday.

Despite receiving other positive news such as marginally fall of inflation figure, reduction in fuel prices, the Sensex and Nifty are testing their new lows.

Real estate, metal, consumer durables, power, oil & gas stocks led the declining charts.

Today, the 30-share index BSE Sensex opened at 12,284.49, down 241.83 points.  

Manila - Philippine shares dr

The Sensex fell down on the back of global worries. It slipped below 12,000 level and also touched an intra-day low of 11,936.84 during the afternoon trades because of heavy selling action witnessed across board. 

Metal, consumer goods, realty, power, IT, banking segments were hammered badly. 

BSE Midcap index lost 5.61%, whereas Smallcap index fell 4.94%. 

At 1:59 p.m., the 30-share index Sensex stood at 12,019.37, down 506.95 points. It also hit a high of 12,284.49 and a low of 11,936.84.