Markets in Asia were inconsistent on Wednesday as trade tensions continued to linger between the U.S. and China.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 10.92 points, or 0.1%, to 21,283.37, as shares of index heavyweight Fast Retailing rose.
The Japanese yen traded at 110.39 against the U.S. dollar after weakening from levels around 110.0 in the previous session.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng recovered 48.7 points, or 0.2%, to 27,705.94
Korean stocks were marginally higher, as industry heavyweight Samsung Electronics’ stock rose 0.8%.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6879, following its drop from highs above $0.690 yesterday after the country’s central bank governor said an interest rate cut will be considered in June.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index dropped 17.4 points, or 0.5%, to 3,649.38
Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled there would be no end to the trade war in the near future. China’s ambassador to the U.S. also told Fox News on Tuesday that Washington "changes its mind so often" in the trade negotiations.
Shares of Chinese surveillance tech company Hikvision dropped 5.5% after the New York Times reported that the U.S. administration is pondering restrictions on the company’s ability to buy American technology.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index inched up 3.61 points, or 0.2%, to 2,064.86
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index lost 0.12 points to 3,183.14
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index dipped 7.29 points to 0.1%, to 10,457.22
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 regained 21.39 points, or 0.2% to 10,237.48
In Australia, the ASK 200 added 10.57 points, or 0.2%, to 6,510.71
