BUZZ-HK-listed smartphone maker Xiaomi climbs on share buyback

** Shares of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp rise as much as 5.1 pct to HK$10.24, ranking it the third most actively traded stock in early trade

** Co says it has bought back 6.1 mln shares on Jan. 17 at an average price of HK$9.7625 each, demonstrating its confidence in its own business outlook and prospects

** Co says its current financial resources enables it to implement the share repurchase while maintaining a solid financial position

** Xiaomi says it will make disclosure for further repurchases in future

** The Hong Kong Hang Seng sub-index tracking information technology firms climbs 1.3 pct, and the benchmark index rises 1.02 pct

(Reuters Messaging: donny.kwok.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)