Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday despite fears of a fresh US-China tussle as well as renewed concerns over the surge in coronavirus cases in the region offset stellar earnings from US banks against the backdrop of an improving economy. Chinese and Hong Kong markets fell after a Chinese diplomat indirectly warned the US over strong linkages and interference over Hong Kong issues. Also, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that the island would work with the United States to deter 'adventurous manoeuvres and provocations' amid threats from Chinese military activities. Meanwhile, Japanese market ended on a flat note after Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda warned the economic recovery was likely to be modest due to uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic. Japan on Wednesday reported more than 4,000 new cases as the highly contagious variants drive a fourth wave of infections.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,398.99 | -17.73 | -0.52 |
| Hang Seng | 28,793.14 | -107.69 | -0.37 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,079.50 | 29.22 | 0.48 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,608.25 | 9.97 | 0.62 |
| Nikkei 225 | 29,642.69 | 21.70 | 0.07 |
| Straits Times | 3,186.52 | 7.13 | 0.22 |
| KOSPI Composite | 3,194.33 | 11.95 | 0.38 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 17,076.73 | 210.76 | 1.25 |
