Most of the Asian equity benchmarks are trading up in the early deals on Wednesday, reflecting optimism on China's economy, while the US dollar remained weak amid doubts over President Donald Trump's ability to deliver tax reforms. Investors were turning their focus to policy meetings by central bank boards in Japan and the EU. Meanwhile, China stocks rose as investors piled into banking, consumer and resources shares after robust economic growth data earlier in the week and on expectations that Beijing is stepping up efforts to reform lumbering and inefficient state companies. Among the other Asian markets, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan are also higher. South Korea and Indonesia are in negative territory.
Nikkei 225 gained 7.79 points or 0.04% to 20,007.70, Hang Seng added 127.16 points or 0.48% to 26,652.10, Taiwan Weighted strengthen 17.72 points or 0.17% to 10,498.98, Shanghai Composite rose 25.52 points or 0.8% to 3,213.09, Straits Times increased 6.36 points or 0.19% to 3,312.44, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI was up by 2.74 points or 0.16% to 1,757.66.
On the flip side, Jakarta Composite dropped 14.14 points or 0.24% to 5,808.21, and KOSPI Index was down by 3.37 points or 0.14% to 2,422.67.