Asian markets mixed; Nikkei rallies 253pts

Asian markets are exhibiting mixed trend this morning.

The Hang Seng has slipped 92 points to 15,577. The Nikkei has rallied 253 points (2.9%) at 8,996.

The Shanghai Composite index has slipped 18 points to 2,518.

The Taiwan Weighted index has surged 103 points to 5,978, and the Seoul Composite has gained 21 points at 1,354. The Straits Times is down two points at 1,904.