Hong Kong (CNN Business) A muddled view of US-China trade talks once again seems to be weighing on investors.

The major Asian market indexes were mixed in early trading Tuesday after CNBC reported that the mood in Beijing was pessimistic. The news organization, citing an anonymous government source, reported that President Donald Trump's reluctance to roll back tariffs was dampening China's outlook on trade talks.

Nikkei 225 N225 Kospi Index KOSPI Shanghai Composite SHCOMP Japan'sdeclined 0.3%, while South Korea'sfell 0.5%. China'sslumped 0.2%, but recovered those losses and was last trading up 0.4%.

Hang Seng Index HSI Hong Kong'sstarted in the red, but was last trading up about 1%. Hong Kong stocks have been trying to claw back some losses after last week, when the index recorded its worst stretch since early August amid worsening protests in the city.

"With no significant data releases in Asia today, attention in the region will remain focused on trade concerns and Hong Kong," said Jeffrey Halley, a market analyst with the research firm Oanda, in a note. "Neither is likely to inspire the confidence of market participants."

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