The stock exchanges in Asia pointed predominantly upwards on Friday after China, via its Ministry of Commerce, announced that it is considering initiating tariff talks with the USA.
In Tokyo, the key Nikkei 225 had risen by 0.6 per cent at lunchtime, while the Topix index jumped up by 0.2.
Even more cheerful was the situation in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng grew by 1.5 per cent.
From South Korea, there was neither a sigh nor a cheer when the Kospi index fluctuated around zero.
In Shanghai and Shenzhen, the stock exchange is closed due to holiday celebrations.
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