Asian equities up on China figures

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly bounced back on Thursday after sharp declines in the previous session, as China posted upbeat trade figures that bolstered the outlook for the world’s second-biggest economy.

But Tokyo dropped 1.59 percent, or 219.38 points to 13,605.56, after a 4-percent plunge on Wednesday triggered partly by renewed concerns over a potential tapering of the US stimulus program.