Asian markets closed with moderate gains on Thursday as oil prices traded higher after touching fresh multi-year highs.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained back 88.3 points, or 0.4%, to 22,497.18,
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 273.08 points, or 0.9%, to 30,809.22. Energy stocks notched significant gains, with CNOOC jumping 3% and contributing to the sector's 2.5% overall gain before the market close.
Australian markets hiked, as oil producers contributed to the index's gains on the back of oil's climb. Woodside Petroleum was up 5.1% on the day.
In corporate news, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing stepped down as chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings on Thursday as the company held its annual general meeting. Li had announced earlier this year his son, Victor Li, would take over the position.
Elsewhere, the head of South Korea's anti-trust watchdog told the media that Samsung Group's ownership structure was "not sustainable”. Samsung Electronics closed up 1.4% despite the comments.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 21.44 points, or 0.6%, to 3,893.06
In Korea, the Kospi index tacked on 20.18 points, or 0.8%, to 2,464.16
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index lost 10.95 points, or 0.3%, to 3,537.59
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 56.86 points, or 0.5%, to 10,760.21
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved forward 17.89 points, or 0.2%, to 8,637.72
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 10.72 points, or 0.2%, to 6,118.75
