Local stocks began the trading day on Thursday on the front foot as the Hang Seng Index gained 166 points, or 0.93 percent, to open at 18,104 points.

Stocks on the mainland also opened higher, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.02 percent to open at 3,038 points while the Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.12 percent higher. (Xinhua)