China
Chinese equities continued Wednesday's rise, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.29 percent, or 8.04 points, to close at 2,759.57 points on Thursday.
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.2 percent, or 24.33 points, to close at 12,138.9 points.
Hong Kong stocks closed up 30.04 points, or 0.13 percent, at 22,999.34 on Thursday.
Japan
Tokyo stocks closed lower on the final trading day of 2010 on Thursday as the Japanese strengthened to a seven-week high against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 Average shed 115.62 points to 10,228. 92. The broader Topix index fell 9.21 points, or 1.01 percent, to 898.80.
Australia
Australian shares rose 0.3% Thursday as higher metal prices helped miners and a growing throng of market bulls positioned themselves for a happier 2011.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 added 15.2 points to 4790.4 but on low volume customary for the end-of-year holiday season. A strong December has seen the index come close to touching its eight-month high of 4815 struck on Nov. 5.
