* Tech stocks hit record high, tracking U.S. peers
* Australia calls for clarity from China on coal curbs
* Gold stocks lead gains on ASX200 on stronger bullion
By Arpit Nayak
Dec 16 (Reuters) - Australian shares tracked Wall Street higher on Wednesday, on hopes for more U.S. stimulus and further signals of easy monetary policy from the Federal Reserve.
All three major Wall Street indexes jumped over 1% overnight on hopes that U.S. lawmakers will reach a quick coronavirus relief deal, amid surging U.S. COVID-19 cases. .N the Fed is expected to signal low-interest rates for the foreseeable future. S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 1.1% to 6,706.8 by 0015 GMT, with all major indexes trading in positive territory.
Gold stocks .AXGD rose as much as 3.1% to be the biggest gainers on the benchmark as the bullion climbed on hopes of more U.S. stimulus. Newcrest Mining NCM.AX and Northern Star Resources NST.AX jumped 2.1% and 5%, respectively. GOL/
Australian tech stocks .AXIJ rose 2.6% to hit a record high, taking a cue from their U.S. peers. Afterpay APT.AX rose 4.6% and Xero XRO.AX gained 2.6%.
Heavyweight miners .AXMM also traded firmly in the black as iron ore prices recovered on lingering supply concerns and strong manufacturing output data from China. IRONORE/
However, trade tensions continued to brew as Canberra urged Beijing to clarify reports of import restrictions on Australian coal in China's state-controlled media outlets, warning any restrictions on would be in breach of World Trade Organisation rules. Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 1% to 12,889.45, with financials and utilities being the biggest winners.