Asian markets advance; Nikkei gains 273pts

Asian markets have advanced this morning.

The Hang Seng has moved up 198 points to 24,385. The Nikkei has gained 273 points at 13,218.

The Taiwan Weighted index has advanced 46 points to 8,876. The Straits Times index has added 19 points to 3,083, and the Seoul Composite index is up a point at 1,766.

The Shanghai Composite index has rallied 32 points to 3,504.