The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.63 percent, or 160.88 points, to 25,824.95 at the open.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was flat, inching down 0.56 points to 2,901.63, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, was also barely changed, edging 0.71 points higher to 1,596.53.