"These are very weak figures compared to the first half of 2021, when monthly inflows averaged $5.8 billion," said Jonathan Fortun Vargas, economist at the IIF. "This is likely due to Beijing's regulatory actions in the past week."

Hong Kong's benchmark index and Chinese A-shares had extended sharp losses to end at multi-month closing lows on Tuesday, as investors worried over the impact of tighter government regulations following a crackdown by Beijing on the tech and education sectors.

Graphic: IIF China flows: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/egpbknoowvq/IIF%20China%20flows.PNG

(Reporting by Karin Strohecker, editing by Sujata Rao)