The Asian markets have made a mixed start though Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao hinted for some stimulus by saying that easing inflation is allowing room to adjust monetary policy. However traders were waiting for more clues over the timing and extent of any further stimulus. In a televised statement Wen Jiabao said that there's “growing room for monetary policy operation and we have the conditions and capabilities, and will be sure to fulfill this year's economic and social development targets.” South Korea's Kospi Index too was trading marginally lower after reopening following a holiday yesterday. The yen slid versus all its major counterparts and has supported the Japanese market to gather gain of over a percent.

Shanghai Composite was down by 2.73 points or 0.13% to 2,116.22, Jakarta Composite lost 5.38 points or 0.11% to 4,137.02, KLSE Composite was down by 3.09 points or 0.19% to 1,650.69 and Kospi Composite has declined by 1.71 points or 0.09% to 1,955.61.

On the other hand, Hang Seng was up by 52.59 points or 0.26% to 20,104.88, Nikkei surged by 121.06 points or 1.36% to 9,046.10, Straits Times was up by 9.26 points or 0.30% to 3,071.37, and Taiwan Weighted gained 31.81 points or 0.43% to 7,499.55.