(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 16 feb - Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, the S&P ASX 200 closed up 0.22% at 8,937.10 points in Sydney, as investors focused on the upcoming flow of corporate financial results and the minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest policy meeting.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rose 0.52% to 26,705.94 points during a shortened half-day session. The market was supported by signs of easing trade tensions between the US and China, along with anticipation that Beijing will introduce fresh economic stimulus measures once the holiday period concludes.

The Hong Kong stock exchange is set to reopen on Friday.

The South Korean market remained closed today and will stay shut until Wednesday for the New Year holiday, while the Shanghai Composite did not trade as mainland China began its.

week long break for the Lunar New Year celebrations.

(RADIOCOR) 16-02-26 08:53:33 (0121) 5 NNNN