TOKYO – Asian shares advanced Friday after China reported its economy expanded at an 18% annual pace in the first quarter of the year.
Jubilance over positive Chinese and U.S. economic data and another record high on Wall Street was tempered by caution over coronavirus outbreaks in the region, where rollouts of the vaccine have lagged.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.1% to finish at 29,683.37. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 recouped earlier losses, rising 0.1% to 7,063.50.
South Korea's Kospi added nearly 0.2% to 3,199.88. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.6% to 28,952.78, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.7% to 3,423.30.