HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks rallied out of the blocks Thursday morning following the Federal Reserve's upbeat outlook on the US economy and its pledge to stick to its ultra-low monetary policy despite rising inflation.

The Hang Seng Index jumped 0.68 percent, or 196.87 points, to 29,268.21.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was marginally higher, inching up 1.01 points to 3,458.08, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange was barely moved, inching down 0.01 point to 2,300.93.