The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.14 percent, or 35.65 points, to 25,715.98 at the open.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.56 percent, or 15.95 points, to 2,879.52 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, rose 0.63 percent, or 9.87 points, to 1,576.44.