Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

SHARES ADVANCED modestly in the absence of any prompting from Tokyo, where the market was closed for a public holiday. The Hang Seng closed up 24.32 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 11,107.24.

The gains built on a 3.7 per cent rise on Friday, when the index topped the 11,000 watershed. Traders said they were expecting China to enter the Wold Trade Organisation when Zhu Rongji, the Chinese Premier, visits Washington next month.