The Hang Seng Index slipped 9.15 points to 25,606.33 at the open.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.08 percent, or 2.24 points, to 2,896.00 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, added 0.14 percent, or 2.24 points, to 1,596.06.