Asian Stock Markets Close Mostly In Red

Major Asian stock markets closed Wednesday mixed as investors focus on US inflation data while following recent developments in Taiwan.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was down 17.7 points or 0.54% to 3,238 points.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange decreased 180.6 points, or 0.65%, to 27,819.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, struggled the most, falling 392.6 points, or 1.96%, to 19,610.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange lost 17.4 points, or 0.54%, to close at 3,230 points, following Chinese inflation data.

Consumer prices in China rose at the fastest pace in two years, hitting 2.7% year-on-year in July up from 2.5% in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics data on Wednesday.

The Indian Sensex benchmark slipped 35.8 points, or 0.06%, to end the day at 58,817 points.

Meanwhile, the Singapore index was up 15.3 points, or 0.47%, to close at 3,286.

Last Thursday, Beijing launched massive military exercises around Taiwan that were extended until this Wednesday.

China's move came after last week's trip to the self-ruled island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who visited Taiwan despite Beijing's warnings that the island is a "breakaway province" and that her visit would be in violation of the country's "one-China policy." -