Asian markets ended lower. Japan's Nikkei declined 0.28% or 38.29 points at 13,540.87.

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted fell 0.20% or 18.16 points at 8,990.33.

Singapore's Straits Times plunged 0.51% or 16.29 points at 3,177.55.

South Korea's Seoul Composite tumbled 0.08% or 1.45 points at 1,799.34.

However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 1.55% or 391.54 points at 25,680.78.

Asian markets @ 8.00 am

Asian markets trading higher

Asian markets were trading higher. Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.38% or 51.71 points at 13,630.87.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng surges 2.06% or 521.49 points at 25,810.73.

Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted rose 0.48% or 42.81 points at 9,051.30.

Singapore's Straits Times was up 1.18% or 37.61 points at 3,231.45.

South Korea's Seoul Composite added 0.43% or 7.70 points at 1,808.49.