By V. Phani Kumar
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong and Chinese markets surged in early trading Monday, with brokerages and other financials leaping after Chinese financial regulators approved the much-anticipated launch of stock index futures and short-selling. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 1.5% to 22,639.28, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index added 1.9% to 13,284.17. China's Shanghai Composite advanced 1.9% to 3,257.55. Shares of China Everbright Ltd. (CEVIF 2.67, +0.14, +5.53%) (HK:165 22.30, +1.95, +9.58%) surged 9.3% and Taifook Securities Group Ltd. (HK:665 5.11, +0.09, +1.79%) (TFSG.F 0.00, 0.00, 0.00%) added 3.6% in Hong Kong, while CITIC Securities Co. Ltd. (CN:600030 33.38, +1.13, +3.50%) jumped 7% in Shanghai.
