Asia opens mostly higher as coronavirus infection rates slow down

Asian stocks opened the third session of the week mostly higher with Japan, China, Australia, and New Zealand higher, while South Korea's KOSPI dropped after 15 new reported cases of coronavirus in South Korea. 

China just announced another 1,749 cases of coronavirus infections, the lowest daily rate since January 29, while the death toll rose to over 2,000. 

The People's Bank of China cut medium-term borrowing rates last Monday to 3.15% from 3.25%, while possibly cutting them yet again tomorrow. 

Earlier Japanese data showed the trade deficit widened to 1,313 billion yen from 155 billion in December, missing estimates of 1,685 billion. 

From the US, investors await the release of the Fed's minutes for the January 28-29 meeting, at which policymakers voted to maintain rates at below 1.75%.

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.54%, while Nikkei 225 added 0.71% to 23,359. 

China's CSI 300 climbed 0.55%, while Shanghai advanced 0.30% to 2,993. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.55%, while South Korea's KOSPI shed 0.19% to 2,204. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.30%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 300 added 0.08% to 7,119.