Hong Kong stocks rose for a fifth straight session on Monday, closing at highs not seen in more than three years.
The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 71.53 points, or 0.5%, to 15,529.40, with the yen moving slightly lower against the greenback, trading at ¥101.855 from ¥101.835 in the previous session..
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong screamed higher 212.62 points, or 0.9%, to 24,428.63, after reports said the so-called "through train" scheme, which would allow direct stock trading between Hong Kong and Shanghai, could be launched in mid-October.
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, the city’s sole exchange operator, jumped 3.4%.
Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings also climbed 3.2%, after China’s top banking regulator approved the establishment of three private banks, including WeBank, in which Tencent has a 30% stake.
Mainland banks posted solid gains, with Bank of Communications soaring 6.2%, China Minsheng Banking Corp. rising 3.6%, and Agricultural Bank of China adding 3%.
In other markets;
Markets in Singapore were shuttered for a holiday
The Shanghai CSI 300 index popped 63.44 points, or 2.8%, to 2,323.90
In Korea, the Kospi index picked up 14.96 points, or 0.7%, to 2,048.81
The Taiex Index in Taiwan slumped 19.11 points, or 0.2%, to 9,420.81
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 erased 7.13 points, or 0.1%, to 5,187.14
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slid 6.12 points, or 0.1%, to 5,577.39
