** China's blue-chip CSI300 Index and the Shanghai
Composite Index were little changed by the lunch break.
** Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng benchmark rose
0.5%, and the Hang Seng Tech Index jumped 2.1%.
** Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Wednesday
unveiled policies aimed at reviving the COVID-hit economy.
** "I believe that Hong Kong's economy will visibly recover
this year, and I remain positive," Chan said.
** Meanwhile, China's Premier Li Keqiang said “China’s
economy is stabilizing and steadily improving, but still facing
challenges. China will implement measures to boost market
expectations and reinforce growth momentum.”
** Citi analysts expect reopening to drive further upside in China and Hong Kong stock markets, with positive catalysts coming from the upcoming National People Congress, consensus earnings raise and bullish long-term investors.
** China's CSI Coal Index gained 1.6% as a
large-scale coal mine collapsed in the country's inner Mongolia
region, fanning fears of supply tightness.
** Hang Seng Consumer Staples added 1.3%, and Hang
Seng Healthcare rose 1.3%.
** Shares of Trip.com and Bilibili climbed 3.5% and 4.3%, respectively.
(Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom
Editing by Vinay Dwivedi)
