Hong Kong shares finished on a high note on Monday as traders welcomed news that China would start selling almost US$140 billion in government bonds to help boost the world's number two economy.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.80 percent, or 151 points, to finish at 19,115.

But the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.21 percent to 3,148, while the Shenzhen Composite on China's second exchange shed 0.95 percent to end at 1,766. (AFP)