Asian markets ended higher. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.22% or 30.90 points at 13,894.37. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged 0.59% or 149.51 points at 25,666.29.  

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted rose 1.47% or 131.77 points at 9,079.60.  

Singapore's Straits Times was up 0.39% or 12.43 points at 3,201.63.  

However, South Korea's Seoul Composite dropped 0.08% or 1.51 points at 1,823.17.

Asian markets @ 8:08 am

Asian markets trading firm

Asian markets were trading firm. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.75% or 104.63 points at 13,968.10.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng  0.70% or 177.89 points at 25,694.67.

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted rose 0.41% or 36.87 points at 8,984.70.

Singapore's Straits Times was up 0.62% or 19.71 points at 3,208.91.

South Korea's Seoul Composite added 0.19% or 3.40 points at 1,828.08.