-- Hong Kong stocks closed marginally higher Friday as investors held out hope for a breakthrough in the upcoming peace talks between Iran and the U.S.
The Hang Seng Index rose by around 141.14 points, or roughly 0.6%, to end at 25,893.54, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 43.21 points, or around 0.5%, to close at 8,655.04.
U.S. and Iranian delegations arrived in Islamabad on Friday ahead of crucial talks beginning Saturday that could pave the way for a definitive peace treaty between the two sides.
However, tensions lingered between both sides, as Israel continued attacks on Lebanon while Washington accused Iran of failing to re-open the Strait of Hormuz as promised.
In corporate news, Haidilao International (HKG:6862) said its chairman and controlling shareholder Zhang Yong plans to increase his stake by no less than HK$100 million within 12 months.
Shares of the restaurant operator gained nearly 3%.
Pateo Connect Technology (Shanghai) (HKG:2889) entered a framework agreement to develop embodied intelligence with the Graduate School of AI Operating System of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Shares of the smart cockpit solutions provider closed almost 4% lower.