Hong Kong shares opened higher Wednesday, extending the previous session's 6.4 percent rally, as investors were encouraged by higher-than-expected earnings from China Life Insurance Co Ltd and other Chinese companies.

'We are getting a lof of results lately and by and large they are encouraging,' said Howard Gorges, vice chairman at South China Securities.

The Hang Seng Index rose 117.23 points or 0.5 percent at 22,581.75 in opening trade.

China Life, the nation's top insurer, said its net profit almost doubled in 2007 to 38.9 billion yuan, beating analyst forecasts.

Shares of China Life were up 75 Hong Kong cents or 2.7 percent at 28.20 dollars.

(1 US dollar = 7.80 Hong Kong dollars, 7.10 yuan)