Hong Kong stocks opened higher on Thursday with a gain following the previous day's hefty losses but with fears over a possible recession continuing to weigh on sentiment.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.7 percent to 21,157.

The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.1 percent to 3,269, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange added 0.2 percent to 2,123. (AFP)