Asian markets rally; Nikkei up 270pts

Asian markets have posted significant gains in early trades backed by positive cues from the US markets.

Japan's Nikkei has rallied 270 points to 18,254. Hong Kong's Hang Seng has surged 301 points to 23,110.

The Taiwan Weighted index has zoomed 130 points to 9484, and the Straits Times index has gained 46 points at 3670. The Seoul Composite index has added 39 points to 1949.