Major stocks across the Asia-Pacific region traded with losses on Monday following China's decision to stick to its zero-COVID policy, meaning any outbreak will be followed by new interruptions of economic activity. The Shanghai Composite fell by 0.17%, while on the other hand, the Shenzhen Composite rose by 0.22% at 4:14 am CET. Hong Kong's Hang Seng tumbled 1.48% or 245 points at 4:29 am CET.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan confirmed it would continue monetary easing as it deemed it the most appropriate policy despite the yen trading at record lows against the United States dollar. The Nikkei 225 plunged 1.43% or 387 points at 4:30 am CET, with the dollar declining 0.10% against the yen to trade for 148.6025.
South Korea's Kospi Composite decreased by 0.13%, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.43% at 4:32 am CET.