(Yicai Global) Aug. 13 -- China Unicom's Hong Kong-listed shares soared more than ever today after the Chinese mobile operator released better-than-expected earnings results for the first half of this year.

China Unicom's equity price [HKG:0762] climbed 22.98 percent to HKD5.60 (US 72 cents) by noon. Its Shanghai-listed shares [SHA:600050] were 3.92 percent up at CNY5.30 (US 76 cents).

The company's revenue rose nearly 4 percent to CNY150.4 billion (USD21.7 billion) in the first half from a year ago, the Beijing-based firm said in its earnings report published yesterday. Its net profit climbed almost 11 percent to CNY3.3 billion (USD475.4 million).

The performance was better than expected due to China Unicom's increasing revenues per user and savings on building fifth-generation wireless network infrastructure together with China Telecom, China Merchants Securities predicted in a report. Growth should continue with an expected boost in 5G usage, it added.

Editor: Emmi Laine