SHANGHAI, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Chinese stocks hit their highest level in a decade on Monday, boosted by artificial intelligence and commercial aerospace companies, as investors celebrated a strong start to the year in local markets with record trading volume. Hong Kong stocks also advanced.

At the close, the Shanghai index rose 1.1%, reaching its highest value since July 2015, while the CSI300 index, which brings together the largest companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, advanced 0.7%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 1.4%.

Meanwhile, onshore stock trading volume reached a record 3.6 trillion yuan ($516.13 billion).

HSBC analysts remain optimistic about the outlook for artificial intelligence in 2026, citing supportive regulatory policies.

Recent fundraising and initial public offerings by companies across the AI ​​supply chain should boost sector valuations and sustain demand and spending in the medium term, they added.

The CSI Cloud Computing and Big Data Index in China rose 7.8%, while AI stocks climbed 4.2%. Major technology companies traded in Hong Kong advanced 3.1%.

Commercial aerospace stocks extended gains, with China Spacesat hitting a daily 10% limit and an all-time high. The surge followed a request from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) showing that, between December 25 and 31, 2025, China requested frequency and orbital resources for 203,000 satellites in 14 constellations.

The CSI Defense Index jumped 5.9%, reaching its highest value in almost four years.

In TOKYO, the Nikkei index did not open.

In HONG KONG, the Hang Seng index rose 1.44% to 26,608 points.

In SHANGHAI, the SSEC index gained 1.09% to 4,165 points.

The CSI300 index, which includes the largest companies listed in SHANGHAI and SHENZHEN, advanced 0.65% to 4,789 points.

In SEOUL, the KOSPI index appreciated 0.84% ​​to 4,624 points.

In TAIWAN, the TAIEX index registered a 0.92% increase to 30,567 points.

In SINGAPORE, the Straits Times index appreciated 0.47% to 4,766 points.

In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.48% to 8,759 points.

Source: Notícias Agrícolas