Asia opens mixed but mostly higher

Asian stock indices opened the fifth session of the week mixed, with China, Japan, and South Korea higher, while Australia and New Zealand declined, as investors assess the global stimulus efforts to counter the coronavirus. 

The Senate passed a $2 trillion economic rescue package, with House of Representatives expected to pass it later today. 

The World Health Organization warned that kids can be infected with Covid 19 just like everyone else, calling for more stringent measures against the virus. 

Global cases of the virus reached 466,000 in 199 countries and territories, with the death toll hitting 21,031. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 1.33% to 1,417, while Nikkei 225 rallied 1.24% to 18,895. 

China's CSI 300 added 0.85%, while Shanghai added 0.78% to 2,786. 

Hong Kong's Hang added 0.88%, while South Korea's KOSPI rose 1.14% to 1,705. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 slid 0.85%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 tumbled 2.99% to 4,960.