China stocks close higher on Ômicron and economic policy in focus

China shares closed higher on Wednesday, reflecting rising real estate and energy stocks, as analysts said the new variant of the coronavirus, Ômicron, and a December meeting to chart the course of the economy for the year comes are in focus.

The CSI300 index, which brings together the largest companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, rose 0.2%, while the Shanghai index rose 0.4%.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He expects this year’s annual growth to exceed the government’s target, and China will maintain the continuity, stability and sustainability of macro policy for next year.

“In the short term, we need to pay attention to how foreign governments deal with the omicron variant, while internally we need to focus on whether the Central Economic Work Conference in December will shed further signs of easing,” said Mary Xia, analyst China’s interest rate market on UBS Securities.

. In TOKYO, the Nikkei index advanced 0.41% to 27,935 points.

. In HONG KONG, the HANG SENG index rose 0.78% to 23,658 points.

. In SHANGHAI, the SSEC index gained 0.36% to 3,576 points.

. The CSI300 index, which brings together the largest companies listed in SHANGHAI and SHENZHEN, advanced 0.24%, to 4,843 points.

. In SEUL, the KOSPI index appreciated 2.14% to 2,899 points.

. In TAIWAN, the TAIEX index rose 0.91% to 17,585 points.

. In SINGAPORE, the STRAITS TIMES index increased by 1.87% to 3,098 points.

. In SYDNEY the S&P/ASX 200 index retreated 0.28%, to 7,235 points.