Markets in Asia closed mixed after trading sideways on Friday following news that China's banking regulator had questions for banks related to loans for overseas asset purchases and as oil prices advanced off 10-month lows.
The Nikkei 225 regained 22.16 points, or 0.1%, to 20,132.67
The Hang Seng Index lost 4.48 points to 25,670.05. Shares of Fosun International rose 1.2% in Hong Kong.
On the economic calendar for Friday, Taiwan retail sales for the month of May were due late afternoon local time.
Australian markets inched forward, buoyed by gains in their health-care and materials sub-indexes. Australian financials were under pressure, with the sub-index edging lower by 0.4%
In Australia, banking stocks traded mostly lower after the South Australia government announced a new tax on ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and Macquarie. The move comes after the federal government announced a levy on the country's largest banks last month.
Shares of ANZ closed down by 0.6% and NAB fell 0.5%. Westpac gave up earlier gains to close 0.03% lower.
Against the yen, the U.S. dollar traded at 111.32 late afternoon local time, above levels around 111.27 seen in the previous session.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar strengthened to trade at $0.7574 U.S. after edging lower for four straight sessions.
CHINA
The CSI 300 added 32.54 points, or 0.9%, to 3,622.88
Investors kept an eye on developments in mainland Chinese markets after the Shenzhen exchange tumbled 1.3% overnight. Media reports said that regulators had asked banks to review their exposure to Chinese firms involved in large acquisitions over the last few years.
Wanda Film, a unit of the Dalian Wanda Group, added 3.6% after resuming trade on the Shenzhen exchange today. The company's shares were suspended from trade on Thursday after falling by 10%.
The move comes days after MSCI announced it would include 222 mainland Chinese stocks to its benchmark emerging markets index. While the move was cheered by some investors, others said more work needed to be done by authorities to further open up markets.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex index slid 21.36 points, or 0.2%, to 10,377.70
In Korea, the Kospi index gained 8.23 points, or 0.4%, to 2,378.60
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index dropped 6.08 points, or 0.2%, to 3,209.47
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 retreated 10.06 points, or 0.1%, to 7,553.64
In Australia, the ASX 200 moved up 9.92 points, or 0.2%, to 5,715.88
