SMIC, Pop Mart lead Hong Kong stocks higher before Christmas trading break

Hong Kong stocks rose on Monday alongside Asia-Pacific markets, with traders upbeat about finishing the year on a strong note.

The Hang Seng Index closed 0.4 per cent higher at 25,801.77, paring some of the 1.1 per cent loss last week. The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.9 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index climbed 1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.7 per cent.