SSEC up 0.8%, CSI300 1%, HSI 0.2% FTSE China A50 +1.0% BEIJING, Dec 30 (Reuters) - China"s equities rebounded on Thursday, led by consumer staples and information technology stocks, as sentiment was lifted by government pledges to focus on a consumption recovery and reduce certain income tax rates. ** At the midday break, the Shanghai Composite index (.SSEC) was up 0.82% at 3,626.58 points, while the blue-chip CSI300 index (.CSI300) was up 1.03%. ** China"s commerce ministry on Wednesday vowed to focus on the continued recovery of consumption in 2022, and attract more foreign investments. ** The country also said it would extend some favourable income tax policies to ease the burden for middle- and low-income groups, state media reported, quoting a cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. read more ** The measure is expected to cut taxes by 110 billion yuan ($17.27 billion) a year. read more ** Consumer staples (.CSICS) gained 0.9%, with liquor makers (.CSI399997)rebounding 1.33% from losses in the previous session. ** Season-wise, analysts expect liquor, food and beverage sales to gain momentum during the upcoming new year and Chinese Spring Festival holidays, benefiting related sectors. ** Among other gaining sectors, the information and technology sector (.CSIINT) was up 2%, the media subindex (.CSI3999971) surged nearly 5% and semiconductor shares (.CSIH30184) added 2.8%. ** Chinese H-shares listed in Hong Kong (.HSCE) rose 0.13% to 8,109.6, while the Hang Seng Index (.HSI) was up 0.21% at 23,134.88. ** The Hang Seng inched up as tech giants rebounded, with the Hang Seng Tech Index (.HSTECH) up 0.2%. Heavyweights Tencent (0700.HK) and Meituan (3690.HK) went up 0.6% and 0.9%, respectively. ** Hong Kong shares of SenseTime Group (0020.HK), the Chinese artificial intelligence start-up, jumped as much as 23% from its market debut in Hong Kong on Thursday. read more ** But mainland developers listed in Hong Kong (.HSMPI) lost 0.7% on Thursday, with Evergrande Group (3333.HK) tumbling 8.5% after the embattled real estate developer did not pay offshore coupons due earlier this week. read more ($1 = 6.3687 Chinese yuan renminbi)