Hong Kong, Shanghai Markets End Positive

Hong Kong shares closed in positive territory on Wednesday on renewed optimism for a breakthrough in China-US trade talks.

The Hang Seng Index gained 0.2 percent, to 28,524.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.8 percent, to 2,923 while the Shenzhen Composite Index added 1.1 percent, to 1,562.

This came as reports said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead a delegation to China next week to resume trade talks, the first head-to-head meeting since negotiations were cut short in May.

Among other Asian markets, Tokyo ended up 0.4 percent. Sydney gained 0.8 percent and Singapore put on 0.1 percent while Bangkok was also higher.

But Taipei slipped 0.1 percent and Mumbai shed 0.6 percent.

Seoul was down 0.9 percent with market heavyweights Samsung and SK Hynix both sharply lower on worries about the impact of the simmering trade row with Japan that threatens to hit South Korea's crucial tech industry.

The pound was barely moved after Tuesday's brief rally in reaction to Boris Johnson's election to replace Theresa May as British prime minister, with investors keen to see whether the leading Brexiter pushes ahead with a no-deal divorce from the European Union. (AFP)