China
Chinese stock markets closed slightly higher on Thursday.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.29 percent, or 6.83 points, to close at 2,332.73.
The Shenzhen Component Index edged up 0.2 percent, or 19.3 points, to close at 9,606.25.
Hong Kong stocks closed up 298.35 points, or 1.58 percent, at 19,240.58 on Wednesday.
Japan
Nikkei closed at a one-month high Wednesday ahead of a key EU summit starting Thursday.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 147.01 points, or 1. 71 percent, from Tuesday at 8,722.17, its highest closing level since 8,755.44 on Nov. 9.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished up 11.62 points, or 1.57 percent, at 749.63.
Australia
Australian shares closed higher on Wednesday, consolidating recent gains on hopes that European leaders would agree to beef up the region's financial rescue fund to contain the debt crisis.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 30.5 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 4,292.5, recouping nearly half of Tuesday's loss.
The All Ords was up 29.7 points, or 0.69 percent, to 4351.3.
