The Hang Seng Index fell 35.37 points, or 0.2 percent, to open at 17,386.75 points on Tuesday.

Overnight in the US, the Dow finished at an all-time record while the Nasdaq retreated as markets weighed competing potential outcomes for an upcoming decision on US interest rates.

Officials from the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, have widely signalled a rate cut for Wednesday, the first since the Covid recession four years ago. But debate remains over whether it will be 25 or 50 basis points. (With additional reporting by Xinhua and Reuters)