Asian markets closed higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.42% or 300 points at 21,384.61.

Japan's Nikkei rose 1.50% or 176.65 points at 11,964.16.

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted added 0.65% or 52.36 points at 8,057.82.

Singapore's Straits Times advanced 1.46% or 40.83 points at 2,833.58.

South Korea's Seoul Composite was up 0.91% or 14.31 points at 1,588.75.

Asian markets @ 8:11am

Asian markets trading firm; Nikkei up 172 points

Asian markets were trading firm. Japan's Nikkei gained 1.46% or 172.05 points at 11,959.56.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.63% or 132.54 points at 21,217.15.

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted was up 0.14% or 11.55 points at 8,017.01.

South Korea's Seoul Composite advanced 0.25% or 3.97 points at 1,578.41.

Singapore's Straits Times was flat at 2,793.06.