Taiwan stocks up

Taiwan shares rose 0.64 percent on Thursday, led by tourism stocks after media reports authorities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will meet on the issue of allowing individual free tourism by Chinese to Taiwan. The main TAIEX share index ended 52.94 points higher at 8,349.99. Turnover was moderate at T$98.4 billion ($3.2 billion) as many investors stayed away ahead of important local elections on Saturday.
Tourism shares topped the winning list, rising 4.12 percent, followed by electronics, up 1.1 percent and financials with a 1.1 percent gain.