Asian Market

Asian markets were trading firm. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.27% or 287.18 points at 22,951.40. Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted added 0.345 or 29.22 points at 8,635.17. Singapore's Straits Times was up 0.205 or 6.04 points at 3,031.24. South Korea's Seoul Composite advanced 1.07% or 17.89 points at 1,694.13. However, Japan's Nikkei was flat at 12,597.50