Asian equity markets ended in red on Monday as investors pondered over rising diplomatic tensions between the world's two biggest economic powers. While China agreed to return the US underwater drone that it seized in international waters on Thursday, US President-elect Donald Trump continued to take jabs at China on Twitter telling Beijing to keep the naval drone it had seized. China stocks slipped, led by blue-chips, as hopes for fresh monetary stimulus dimmed after Beijing vowed to contain asset bubbles next year by keeping monetary policy ‘prudent and neutral.’ Japanese shares fell slightly after a nine-day rally, as the yen strengthened and data showed a smaller-than-expected trade surplus in November. Hong Kong stocks slid to 4-1/2 month lows, extending declines since last week's US rate hike, with shares hurt as Beijing signalled a ‘neutral’ monetary policy and media reports said mainland insurance firms face fresh investment curbs.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,118.08 | -4.9 | -0.16 |
Hang Seng | 21,832.68 | -188.07 | -0.85 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,191.91 | -39.74 | -0.76 |
KLSE Composite | 1,634.30 | -3.49 | -0.21 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,391.60 | -9.55 | -0.05 |
Straits Times | 2,913.08 | -24.78 | -0.84 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,038.39 | -3.85 | -0.19 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,239.32 | -87.46 | -0.94 |