Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.34 percent, to open at 17,298 points on Friday after another healthy day on Wall Street as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut next week.

E-commerce titan and market heavyweight Alibaba was a key driver of the gains, building on this week's rally as mainland investors snap it up after it was included Tuesday in a programme that allows them to buy stocks in Hong Kong-listed firms.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 2,719 points, up 0.07 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index opened flat at 8,054 points. (AFP/Xinhua)