HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks fell at the open of trade on Wednesday following hefty losses on Wall Street fuelled by growing concerns about inflation and a possible US debt default.

The Hang Seng Index sank 0.91 percent, or 223.68 points, to 24,276.71.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.80 percent, or 28.70 points, to 3,573.52, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange also retreated 0.80 percent, or 19.34 points, to 2,382.86.