The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3 per cent to 26,411.24 as of 10.13am local time, heading for the highest close since November 14. The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.7 per cent.
On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index climbed 1.1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.7 per cent on their first day of trading this year.
Kuaishou Technology, the short-video platform operator, surged 12 per cent to US$74.30, while gold jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group rallied 4.9 per cent to US$13.08. Alibaba Group Holding added 3.2 per cent to HK$153.80, and Tencent Holdings rose 0.5 per cent to HK$626.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index rose to an all-time high on Monday on extended optimism that the artificial intelligence trade will continue to power stocks ahead in the new year. The US military raid on Venezuela jolted the global commodity markets, sending gold spot prices higher and crude oil prices lower.
Goldman Sachs said in a note over the weekend that China’s economy would expand by 4.8 per cent in 2026, against a consensus forecast of a 4.5 per cent increase.
