Most Asian markets closed higher on Monday. Meanwhile, oil prices were slightly lower, paring more gains after touching multi-year highs last week.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 107.38 points, or 0.5%, to 22,865.86. The real-estate sub-index advanced 3.1%, while mining stocks finished the session lower.
Against the yen, the U.S. dollar edged up to trade at 109.43
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index leaped 419.02 points, or 1.4%, to 31,541.08
Korean markets were flat, with heavyweight Samsung Electronics declining 2.3% and weighing on the index. Other technology sector stocks were mixed, with LG Display closing flat, while steelmakers mostly advanced.
Australian stocks packed some muscle, as the energy and materials sectors led gains on the index.
In corporate news, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's chief financial officer, Rob Jesudason, has resigned with immediate effect, with Alan Docherty taking on the position of Acting CFO Monday, the lender said. CBA is one of several banks part of an inquiry into the financial sector in Australia. Shares reversed early losses to track higher by 0.4%
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 gained 36.45 points, or 0.9%, to 3,909.29
Hon Hai Precision Industry popped 4.7% on Monday. That came as the company filed to apply for a Shanghai initial public offering for its Foxconn Industrial Internet unit
Meanwhile, trade was back into focus after Trump said in a Sunday tweet that he was working with Chinese President Xi Jinping to give Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE "a way to get back into business, fast."
The U.S. government had imposed a ban on U.S. companies from supplying ZTE with technology after the Chinese company was found to have illegally shipped equipment to Iran.
With the second leg of U.S.-China trade negotiations expected in the week ahead, the move by Trump was seen by some analysts as a concession from the U.S. side.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index dropped 1.6 points to 2,476.11
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index removed 7.71 points, or 0.2%, to 3,562.46
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 93.41 points, or 0.9%, to 10,952.39
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved forward 36.55 points, or 0.4%, to 8,713.23
In Australia, the ASX 200 regained 19.11 points, or 0.3%, to 6,135.30
