Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on Wednesday as a coronavirus vaccine rollout commenced in the U.K., fueling some of the optimism among investors.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 350.86 points, or 1.3%, to 26,467.08.
The Japanese yen changed hands at 104.20 per u.s. dollar, staying relatively flat.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index recovered 198.28 points, or 0.8%, to 26,502.84.
Australian indexes strengthened, with most sectors closing up. Major miners advanced as shares of Rio Tinto rose 0.4%, Fortescue was up 1.6% and BHP added 1.1%.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar ticked up 0.47% to $0.7446.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 lost 67.18 points, or 1.3%, to 4,942.70.
Data showed China’s consumer price index fell in November for the first time in about a decade as food prices declined.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index resurged 54.54 points, or 2%, to 2,755.47
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index gained 29.74 points, or 0.2%, to 14,390.14.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index picked up 17.44 points, or 0.6%, to 2,843.07.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 popped 169.81 points, or 1.3%, to 12,889.40.
In Australia, the ASX 200 moved higher 40.74 points, or 0.6%, to 6,728.47.