Asia opens higher on stimulus hopes

Asian stock indices opened the third session of the week and month higher as markets price in steps to reopen global economies and amid hopes for more stimulus, especially from the European Union, in turn outweighing concerns over US protests, and US-China tensions. 

Earlier Australian data showed GDP growth down 0.3% in the first quarter, compared to a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter. 

The Reserve Bank of Australia voted to maintain rates at record low of 0.25% for the third meeting, while readying more steps to increase bond purchases to support the market. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.60%, while Nikkei 225 rose 1.15% to 22,581. 

China's CSI 300 rose 0.39%, while Shanghai rose 0.36% to 2,931. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.07%, while South Korea's KOSPI rallied 2.42% to 2,137. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.84%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.90% to 5,887.