HONG KONG, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks were set to open higher on Thursday as the S&P 500 headed for its best December since 1991, with Esprit Holdings Ltd <0330.HK>, China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd <1088.HK> and PetroChina Co Ltd <0857.HK> leading the rise.
Extending strength in the previous session, China Rare Earth Holdings Ltd <0769.HK> was set to open 4.4 percent higher, and Brillance China Automotive Holdings Ltd <1114.HK> edged up 4.9 percent.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index <.HSI> was set to open up 0.08 percent at 22,987.84. The China Enterprises Index <.HSCE> of top locally listed mainland companies was indicated to open 0.36 percent higher at 12,553.37. (Reporting by Daisy Ku; Editing by Chris Lewis)