The Jakarta Post - Asian stock markets were higher Monday as investors focused on signs of strengthening overseas demand in an otherwise weak China manufacturing survey.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225, the regional heavyweight, rose 1.8 percent to 14,484.06 after a three-day long weekend. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1 percent to 21,648.91 and South Korea's Kospi added 0.3 percent to 1,941.29.

China's Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.5 percent to 2,057.71. Markets in Southeast Asia also rose. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was little changed.

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