China
Chinese equities closed higher in thin trading on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.68 percent, or 18.54 points, to close at 2,751.53 points.
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.42 percent, or 50.76 points, to close at 12,114.56 points.
The Hang Seng Index increased 1.54 percent to close at 22,969. 30. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of locally-listed Chinese companies' shares climbed 1.62 percent to 12,508.52.
Japan
Japanese stocks gained modestly on Wednesday despite yen's strength against the dollar.
The Nikkei-225 index ended up 51.91 points, or 0.50 percent, from Tuesday at 10,344.54.
The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 5.18 points, or 0.57 percent, to 908.01.
Australia
The Australian share market emerged from the Christmas trading break to close flat.
Amid thin holiday volumes, mining stocks fell in response to China's weekend interest rate rise.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed 2.1 points, or 0.04 per cent, lower at 4,775.2 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 3.3 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 4,871.6 points.
