Asia Mixed on Softer Trade Stance on China

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street as a possible thaw in U.S.-China trade war fuels investor optimism.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 170.52 points, or 0.5%, to 35,039.15

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index lost 162.86 points, or 0.7%, to 21,909.76

South Korea’s GDP contracted 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025, according to advance figures released Thursday, missing the 0.1% rise expected by a Reuters poll.

In other markets

The CSI 300 in mainland China slid 2.52 points to 3,784.36

In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked back 0.4 points, or 1%, to 3,831.92

In Korea, the Kospi slid 3.23 points, or 0.1%, to 2,522.33

In Taiwan, the Taiex sank 160.33 points, or 0.8%, to 19,478.81.

In New Zealand, the NZX 50 progressed 61.37 points, or 0.5%, to 12,017.84.

In Australia, the ASX 200 climbed 47.71 points, or 0.6%, to 7,968.23.