The Hang Seng Index gained 176.9 points, or 1.03 percent, to open at 17,286.04 points on Friday.

It follows a strong performance by Wall Street stocks overnight, where the market was boosted by stronger than expected retail sales.

July US retail sales increased one percent after a downwardly revised 0.2 percent drop in June, easing fears of a sharp economic slowdown fanned by a jump in the unemployment rate last week. (with additional reporting from Xinhua and Reuters)