HONG KONG (May 24): Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks fell in the opening minutes of trade Tuesday, tracking overnight losses in US markets amid fears of a possible hike in interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index opened 0.12%, or 24.14 points, lower at 19,784.89.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.14%, or 3.97 points, to 2,839.68 while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, fell 0.14%, or 2.63 points, to 1,818.36.