Hong Kong stocks begin with strong gains
Hong Kong shares rallied at the open of trade on Thursday morning, tracking a surge on Wall Street fuelled by optimism that US lawmakers will soon hammer out a debt ceiling deal to avert a default. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.73 percent to 19,702. The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.13 percent, to 3,288, while the Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.08 percent, to 2,027. (AFP)