HK shares gain broadly, Bank of China leads

HONG KONG, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Hong Kong blue chips rose
nearly 2 percent on Tuesday as investors took heart in advancing
Asian markets, with Bank of China (3988.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) surging on news that
the bank had made sufficient provisions to cover its exposure to
the subprime credit market.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI was at 24,187.34 at 0252
GMT. The China Enterprises index of H shares .HSCE, or Hong
Kong-listed shares in mainland companies, had risen 2.3 percent.
(Reporting by Rita Chang; editing by Anne Marie Roantree)