Asia opens mostly higher

Asian stocks opened mixed with Japan, China, Australia, and Hong Kong higher, while New Zealand and South Korea threaded lower. 

Optimism is rising 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 rose 0.02%, or 4.57 points to 21,286.42. 

China's CSI 300 added 0.13%, or 4.47 points to 3,450.21, while the Shanghai index rose 0.14%, or 3.94 points to 2,758.30. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.14% to 28,386.21, while South Korea's KOSPI fell 0.02%, or 0.41 points to 2,210.48. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 shed 0.22%, or 20.22 points to 9,225.22, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rallied 0.42% to 6,115.50.