Hong Kong shares opened on the front foot on Tuesday, building on a positive start to the week as optimism grows that US lawmakers will hammer out a deal to lift the country's borrowing limit and avert a default.

The Hang Seng Index added 0.18 percent to 19,713.

The Shanghai Composite Index eased 0.05 percent to 3,295, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on the mainland's second exchange was marginally lower, inching down 0.61 points to 2,038. (AFP)