Shares in the Asia-Pacific were higher on Wednesday as China released trade data, and the Bank of Korea and Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiked rates.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 142.11 points, or 0.5%, to 26,478.77.
The Japanese yen changed hands weakened to 137.18 per U.S. dollar.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell 46.79 points, or 0.2%, to 20,797.95.
Airline stocks rose after a report said quarantine-free travel may be allowed by November under some conditions, but also pared gains later in the day.
Cathay Pacific was up 0.6% and China Southern Airlines was 3.2% higher at the close.
Tianqi Lithium plunged more than 11% at its market debut in Hong Kong from its offer price of 82 Hong Kong dollars ($10.45). It recovered from its losses to close at its offer price.
Miniso shares dropped in its debut on the Hong Kong market.
Taiwan’s benchmark Taiex jumped after the finance ministry said it would use its stock stabilization fund to intervene in the market, according to Reuters.
The Bank of Korea raised rates by 50 basis points for the first time, bringing the rate to 2.25%, Reuters reported. That’s in line with analyst expectations in a Reuters poll. The Korean won stood at 1,305.58 against the greenback.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand also increased rates by 50 basis points to 2.5%. The currency was at $0.6127.
The Australian dollar was at $0.6767.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 picked up 7.84 points, or 0.2%, to 4,321.46.
Chinese trade data released Wednesday showed a 17.9% increase in dollar-denominated exports in June, higher than the 12% that analysts expected, Reuters reported. Imports rose 1%, less than the 3.9% predicted by analysts in a poll.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex recovered 374.06 points, or 2.7%, to 14,324.68.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slid 17.08 points, or 0.5%, to 3,128.61
In Korea, the Kospi resurfaced 10.85 points, or 0.5%, to 2,328.61.
In Australia, the ASX 200 eked higher 15.27 points, or 0.2%, to 6,621.56.
In New Zealand, the NZX inched up 6.94 points to 11,110.33