2013.04.1101:43:25UTC+00Hong Kong stocks surge on China lending, tax reform

Hong Kong stocks got off to a perfect start Thursday as upbeat Chinese lending data for March and Beijing's decision to expand a tax reform nationwide bolster sentiment, purchasing shares in the consumer, resource and monetary industry. The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.9% to 22,218.28, also helped by a finish in record territory for key U.S. equity indexes, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index boosted 1.2% to 10,824.77. Shares of Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. gained 3.3%, Bank of Communications Co. leapt 2.4% and personal-hygiene products maker Hengan International Group Co. traded 3.1% higher. China's Shanghai Composite bolstered 0.2% to 2,231.19.