Hong Kong's benchmark stock index rose for the fourth straight day to their highest since July 2015 on Thursday, tracking gains in other Asian shares after Fed chair Janet Yellen signalled gradual monetary tightening.
At 05:45 GMT, the benchmark Hang Seng Index jumped 1 percent or 253 points to 26,299, highest since July 2015. A gauge of Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong jumped 1.6 percent.
The U.S. economy is healthy enough for the Fed to raise rates and begin winding down its massive bond portfolio, although low inflation and a low neutral rate may leave the central bank with diminished leeway, Yellen said on Wednesday.
Asian shares rallied, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rising 1.2 percent to its highest since May 2015.
Sentiment was upbeat after the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at an all-time high overnight.
Among the gainers, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) rose 1.5 percent while HSBC Holdings gained 0.3 percent.
Ping An Insurance rose 2.2 percent while China Life Insurance Co. advanced 1.4 percent.
