HONG KONG, Feb 6: Asian shares rallied on Friday, with Hong Kong and Shanghai leading the charge, as investors eyed market-boosting stimulus packages in China and the United States.

Hong Kong and Shanghai soared almost four percent on sentiment following aid packages in China for numerous sectors including equipment making and textiles.

Shanghai’s gain saw it hit a four-month high.

Lawmakers in Washington are debating a $900-billion plan for the world’s biggest economy, while Beijing is considering further massive cash injections into various domestic industries.

Tokyo added 1.60 per cent following a Wall Street rally, while Taipei leapt 2.48 per cent as stocks in the bellwether electronic sector were snapped up.

Sydney was also up on increased demand for commodities shares.

Wellington was closed for a public holiday.

TOKYO: Up 1.60 per cent. The Nikkei-225 rose 126.97 points to end at 8,076.62.

Dealers said the market is likely to remain volatile as investors weigh poor corporate earnings and steps by US authorities to fight the credit crunch.

Exporters were boosted by the weaker yen.

Honda Motor rose 3.9 per cent to 2,255 yen and Toyota firmed 1.6 per cent to 3,090 yen, despite a credit ratings downgrade by Moody’s.

Sharp gained 4.5 percent to 742 yen. Asahi Breweries rose 3.1 per cent to 1,371 yen.

HONG KONG: Up 3.6 per cent. The Hang Seng Index closed up 476.14 points.

Traders said investors are betting on China taking more stimulus measures, including further interest rate cuts.

China Mobile jumped 5.1 per cent to $75.90 .

Mainland developer China Overseas jumped 6 per cent to $10.60 .

Esprit was the biggest blue-chip gainer, surging 12 per cent to $41 on bargain hunting.

SYDNEY: Up 1.2 per cent. The S&P/ASX 200 gained 41.3 points to 3,469.9.

The Australian market closed higher today following predominantly bullish offshore leads, said IG Markets analyst Ben Potter.

The market tracked gains seen on Wall Street.Mining giant BHP Billiton lifted 1.9 per cent to 32.23 and Newcrest Mining was 5.7 per cent stronger at 31.88. However, Rio Tinto eased 1.4 per cent to 46.75.

SINGAPORE: Up 0.63 per cent. The STI closed 10.75 points higher at 1,715.35.

There is now little reason or (few) catalysts for a sustained rally, with a weakening credit situation worsening matters, said NetResearch Asia, an equity research firm.

Bank shares closed mixed, as Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp rose seven cents to 5.07.

CapitaLand shed two cents to 2.36. Singapore Airlines slid 32 cents to 10.74.

KUALA LUMPUR: Up 1.9 per cent. The KLCI gained 16.69 points to close at 896.64.

Sime Darby gained 3.7 percent to 5.60 and TM International added 5.0 per cent to 3.34.

JAKARTA: Up 1.7 per cent. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 11.57 points to 1,350.64.The index was helped by higher oil prices spurring buying in commodity-related stocks, dealers said.

Coal miner Bumi Resources jumped 24 percent to 680 rupiah.

Heavyweight Telkom rose 1.6 percent to 6,400 rupiah.

MUMBAI: Up 2.31 per cent. The Sensex index rose 209.98 points to 9,300.86.—AFP