Asian shares high

Asian shares were near to eking out a sixth session of gains on Wednesday as investors strove to stay optimistic on the chance of a Greek debt deal, while the dollar held firm as the prospect of US rate rises swung back into view. Japan's Nikkei led the way as a rise of 0.5 per cent cleared a peak from 2000 to reach ground last trod in late 1996. MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked up 0.1 per cent. A close around there would bring gains over the past six sessions to 2.9 per cent. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was quoted at 2,081.30 points, barely changed from the previous close at 2,081.20 points. China stocks extended gains on Wednesday. China's key CSI300 Index rose 0.6 per cent by midday, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9 per cent. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was up 0.2 per cent while the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index ended the morning session 0.6 per cent higher. Australian shares rose 0.2 per cent. The S&P/ASX 200 index gained 18.5 points to 5,702.8 by 0254 GMT. The benchmark rose 1.3 per cent to its highest since June 2 on Tuesday. New Zealand share rose. The benchmark NZ50 shares edged up 16.9 points or 0.3 per cent to 5,788.97, according to Reuters.