Asia opens higher on trade hopes

Asian stock indices opened higher on Monday on optimism for US-China trade talks, with both Chinese and US Presidents praising progress in negotiations. 

President Trump said he'd be happy to cancel tariffs if a deal is reached with China, adding his administration is nearer that goal than ever. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping also said the talks will carry on in Washington this week, hoping for an agreement soon before the truce deadline in early March. 

Japan's Nikkei 225 rallied 1.78%, or 372.53 points to 21,273.16, while China's CSI 300 spiked 2.10% to 3,4008.67. 

China's Shanghai index spiked 1.73% t 2,728.92, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.76% to 28,392.75. 

South Korea's KOSPI powered up 0.75% to 2,212.46, while New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.16% to 9,260.26. 

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.38%, or 23.00 points to 6,089.10.