The Hang Seng Index rose 1 per cent to 21,271.61 as of 9.54am local time. The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 1.2 per cent.
On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index slid 0.2 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite Index fell less than 0.1 per cent.
Gold producer Zijin Mining gained 2.9 per cent to HK$17.68 after bullion prices rose to a record. Electric vehicle maker Li Auto advanced 1.4 per cent to HK$88.00 and hotpot restaurant chain operator Haidilao added 1.3 per cent to HK$17.16.
Sentiment improved slightly after the Hang Seng Index tumbled nearly 2 per cent on Wednesday despite stronger-than-expected economic data from China in the first quarter, before US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on China. Trump said China could face tariffs of up to 245 per cent because of Beijing’s retaliatory measures.
Trump said on Wednesday that the US and Japan had made “big progress” in talks to hammer out a deal to avoid higher levies.
