Asian shares got off to a flyer with China leading the way with stocks hitting a seven high.

Both the Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng posted gains.

Mainland China is benefiting from plans to create a new Silk Road project to facilitate links between Africa, where Beijing continues to invest, and Europe.

Investors are buoyed by the prospect of a massive boost to infrastructure spending.

Exports also rose 9.7 in December with the added bonus of a drop in imports of 2.4 percent.