Trading of exchange-traded funds in the Hong Kong market increased 80% during the first half of 2013, compared with the previous six months, as investors flocked to access mainland Chinese stocks.

The average daily turnover of ETFs listed on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing reached HK$4.5 billion ($580 million) in the first six months of the year, compared with HK$2.5 billion in the second half of 2012, according to data published by local regulator the Securities Futures Commission on Friday.