Chinese stocks rally after HSBC manufacturing data

Chinese stocks climbed on Friday, after a survey showed the nation's manufacturing sector may expand at a faster pace this month.

The news sent the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 2.88 percent in the morning session to end at 2,120.84. The Shenzhen Component Index finished at 8,400.95, up 2.81 percent.

An HSBC report said Friday that the previewed purchasing managers index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector picked up to 50.9 in December, a 14-month high. The reading compared to a final print of 50.5 for November and 49.5 for October.