The Hang Seng has advanced 138 points or 0.5% to 22,428.

The Nikkei has soared 322 points or 3.3% to 9,931, respectively.

The Shanghai Composite Index has slipped 24 points to 3,246.

The Seoul Composite Index has added 19 points or 1% at 1,611. The Straits Times and the Taiwan Weighted index were margianlly up at 2,799 and 7,684, respectively.
_______________________________________

(Updated at 0823hrs)

The Asian markets have opened on a positive note.

The Hang Seng has advanced 100 points to 22,389. The Nikkei has soared 220 points or 2% to 9,828.

The Shanghai Composite Index has declined 11 points to 3,259.

The Straits Times is flat at 2,795. The Seoul Composite and the Taiwan Weighted Index are marginally up at 1,595 and 7,679, respectively.