HK shares leap nearly 2 pct, HSBC boosts blue chips

(Updates to open)

HONG KONG, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rose further
on Wednesday as gains in U.S. equities boosted investor
confidence, helped by Warren Buffet's offer to reinsure $800
billion in municipal debt risk from the top three bond insurers.

Global lender HSBC Holdings (0005.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) led the blue chips,
advaancing more than 2 percent shortly after the open.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI opened up 1.8 percent at
23,330.09.
(Reporting by Rita Chang; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)