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China shares shrug off weak trade data China shares shrug off weak trade data
(35 minutes later)
China markets have traded higher, shrugging off fresh government data showing exports fell by more than expected in February. Chinese stock markets have risen, shrugging off fresh government data that showed exports fell by more than expected in February.
Exports dropped sharply by 25.4% from a year earlier, while imports slid 13.8%. Exports dropped sharply, falling by 25.4% from a year earlier, while imports slid 13.8%.
However, analysts said the data may have been negatively affected by Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.However, analysts said the data may have been negatively affected by Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.
The Shanghai Composite closed the day 0.1% up at 2,901.39, after earlier falling 1.6% in reaction to the data.The Shanghai Composite closed the day 0.1% up at 2,901.39, after earlier falling 1.6% in reaction to the data.
In afternoon trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading lower, down 0.6% at 20,031.84. However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index finished lower, down 0.7% at 20,011.58.
Analysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia Business Correspondent
China has often been called the factory of the world, but that narrative may now be changing.
As global demand slows down, China is selling less to the world, but it is also buying less from the world.
True - Tuesday's trade figures may have been affected by a longer than usual Chinese New Year period last month, which meant workers were on holiday and factory owners may have brought orders forward or delayed them.
But these February numbers will continue to put pressure on China's leaders as they grapple with the worst growth rates in 25 years on the mainland.
Rest of Asia
Elsewhere, markets across the region were largely in negative territory, despite an oil price rise overnight and a positive lead from Wall Street.Elsewhere, markets across the region were largely in negative territory, despite an oil price rise overnight and a positive lead from Wall Street.
Oil recovery
Brent crude rose above $40 a barrel for the first time this year, while the price of iron ore also shot up, rising almost 20% due in part to a surge in demand for the metal from China's refineries.Brent crude rose above $40 a barrel for the first time this year, while the price of iron ore also shot up, rising almost 20% due in part to a surge in demand for the metal from China's refineries.
Shares in Japan fell, as a stronger yen against the dollar weighed on investor sentiment and hurt some of Japan's big exporters.Shares in Japan fell, as a stronger yen against the dollar weighed on investor sentiment and hurt some of Japan's big exporters.
Toyota shares finished the session down close to 1.7%, Honda fell 0.95% and Nissan dipped about 2.5%. Toyota shares finished the session down 1.7%, Honda fell 0.95% and Nissan dipped about 2.5%.
Japan's Nikkei 225 ended Tuesday down 0.8% to 16,783.15, marking its lowest close since the beginning of the month.Japan's Nikkei 225 ended Tuesday down 0.8% to 16,783.15, marking its lowest close since the beginning of the month.
Fresh official figures released on Tuesday showed the world's third largest economy shrank less than previously thought in the last three months of 2015. Fresh official figures showed the world's third-largest economy shrank less than previously thought in the last three months of 2015.
Gross domestic product contracted at an annualised rate of 1.1% for the period, compared with an earlier reading of 1.4%.Gross domestic product contracted at an annualised rate of 1.1% for the period, compared with an earlier reading of 1.4%.
The annualised numbers surprised analysts, who had been expecting to see a contraction of 1.5%.The annualised numbers surprised analysts, who had been expecting to see a contraction of 1.5%.
Elsewhere, commodity and energy-related stocks were dragging on the Australian market, despite the price rises in oil and iron ore.Elsewhere, commodity and energy-related stocks were dragging on the Australian market, despite the price rises in oil and iron ore.
Sydney-listed shares in Fortescue Metals finished the day down close to 9.5% after rising by almost 24% on Monday. Sydney-listed shares in Fortescue Metals finished the day down 9.5% after rising by almost 24% on Monday.
Early on Tuesday, Australia's Fortescue said it had entered "a non-binding memorandum of understanding" with Brazil's Vale. Earlier on Tuesday, Australia's Fortescue said it had entered "a non-binding memorandum of understanding" with Brazil's Vale.
The proposal could help the two companies match the quality of iron ore produced by rival Rio Tinto, which is seen as the benchmark in China.The proposal could help the two companies match the quality of iron ore produced by rival Rio Tinto, which is seen as the benchmark in China.
The Australian mining giant said the agreement would provide "a framework for potential investment by Vale in Fortescue, through a minority acquisition of shares on market, in addition to investment in current or future mining assets." The Australian mining giant said the agreement would provide "a framework for potential investment by Vale in Fortescue, through a minority acquisition of shares on market, in addition to investment in current or future mining assets".
Rio Tinto shares lost more than 2.5% in Sydney trade.Rio Tinto shares lost more than 2.5% in Sydney trade.
In South Korea, the Kospi index finished down 0.6% to 1,946.09 points. In South Korea, the Kospi index finished down 0.6% at 1,946.09.