Asia opens mixed following varied industrial data

Asian stock indices opened the third session of the week mixed but mostly higher, with China, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea higher, while Japan and Hong Kong lost ground.

Earlier Japanese data showed the manufacturing sector contracted in the fourth quarter, while the services sector shaved off some gains in the fourth quarter.

Japan's manufacturing PMI fell to 44.8 in March, while the government announced a new economic package to protect businesses and jobs. 

From China, the manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 from 40.3 in February, beating estimates of 45.0.  

The World Health Organization reported 755,000 infections of coronavirus so far in 202 countries and territories, with 36,571 losing their lives. 

Japan's TOPEX fell 0.59%, while Nikkei 225 shed 0.94% to 18,739. 

China's CSI 300 rose 0.51% to 3,704, while Shanghai climbed 0.21% to 2,755. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 0.70%, as South Korea's KOSPI inched up 0.25% to 1,759. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rallied 1.19%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 spiked 3.68% to 5,263.