HK shares extend gains, HSI above 23,000

HONG KONG, June 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rose 1.9 percent on Monday, sending the benchmark index over 23,000 points, led by shares in refiner Sinopec Corp (0386.HK) as U.S. crude oil prices retreated below $135 per barrel.

The Hang Seng Index .HSI was up 419.67 points at 23,011.97.

The main index closed on Friday at 22,592.30, its lowest close since March 25, giving up 7.4 percent over the week in reaction to Beijing's aggressive credit tightening stance.

Sinopec rallied 5 percent as falling oil prices are expected to ease pressure on its refining margins.

The China Enterprises Index .HSCE of top locally listed mainland stocks jumped 2.3 percent.

(Reporting by Parvathy Ullatil; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)