Hong Kong's benchmark index kicked off the morning session with a 0.68% gain, advancing 174 points to reach 25,685 points, while the tech-heavy Hang Seng Tech Index climbed a more robust 1.58%. Trading volume during the morning session reached HK$139.9 billion, reflecting active participation from market players.

Copper mining stocks dominated the session's gains, propelled by both London and New York copper futures hitting unprecedented record highs simultaneously. Analysts at Societe Generale point to artificial intelligence demand and evolving tariff policies as the twin forces reshaping the pricing dynamics for the red metal. JIANGXI COPPER (00358) surged 12% during the morning trade, while CHINFMINING (01258) advanced 11% and CMOC (03993) climbed 7%.

Chinese brokerage firms also enjoyed a solid morning, buoyed by a wave of interim dividend proposals and continued progress in global expansion strategies across the sector. CICC (03908) jumped 8%, while CMSC (06099) added 5.7% to its share price.

In individual stock news, H&H INTL HLDG (01112) rallied more than 20% following its earnings release, which revealed a stunning 7.6-fold year-on-year surge in interim net profit, accompanied by improved gross margins across all three of its core business segments.

CANSINOBIO (06185) climbed over 19% after announcing a strategic partnership with Depus Bio to develop an mRNA-based therapeutic tumor vaccine, a move that signals the company's deepening commitment to innovative oncology treatments.

AKESO (09926) advanced more than 6% on news that its Phase III trial for ivonescimab in biliary tract cancer achieved success, demonstrating superior efficacy head-to-head against durvalumab, a significant milestone for the company's pipeline.

CIG (06166) saw its shares surge 10% after reporting a 171.08% year-on-year increase in interim net profit attributable to shareholders, supported by large-volume shipments of its 800G optical modules that have now entered mass production phase.

XUANZHUBIO-B (02575) gained more than 5% ahead of its interim results release later today, with analysts highlighting the substantial commercial potential of its anaprazole sodium product in the growing gastroenterology market.

SMOORE INTL (06969) continued its upward trajectory with another 12% gain, as its heat-not-burn business rapidly scales up, positioning the company for further platform-based growth opportunities.

FWD (01828) rose over 6% following its results announcement, reporting a 20% increase in after-tax operating profit to US$298 million for the first half of the year.

On the downside, GREEN TEA GROUP (06831) fell more than 6% amid controversy surrounding recent reports about pest control practices, despite the company reporting first-half revenue growth to RMB 2.675 billion.

SHENZHOU INTL (02313) also faced selling pressure, dropping over 7% after reporting a 40% decline in first-half net profit attributable to shareholders, with the interim dividend reduced by 36% reflecting the challenging operating environment.