Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

STOCKS finished moderately higher, propelled by the strong performance of China-related shares and red chips, brokers said. The Hang Seng Index rose 71.6 points, or 0.93 per cent, to finish at 7,733.47.

Expectations that China would soon cut interest rates boosted China plays, helping to lift market sentiment, said Kinson Au, research manager at Asia Financial Securities.

In Japan, Tokyo markets were closed for Respect for the Aged Day.