Tokyo - China-related shares led the Japanese market to rise more almost 3 per cent in Thursday morning trading.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 253.43 points, or 2.9 per cent, to 8,996.39.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 16.67 points, or 2 per cent, at 851.92.

Investors were attracted to mainly China-related titles Thursday on hopes of the nation's economic growth.

Shortly before the end of morning trading, reports were out that China's gross domestic product grew 6.1 per cent during the January-March quarter from the same period a year before.

On currency markets at 9 am (0000 GMT), the dollar traded at 99.25-30 yen, up from Wednesday's 5 pm quote of 98.75-77 yen.

The euro traded at 1.3216-21 dollars, down from late Wednesday's quote of 1.3227-29 dollars, and at 131.22-27 yen, up from 130.62-66 yen. (dpa)