Asian markets climbed on Thursday after China released better-than-expected trade data that provide further evidence the world’s number two economy has emerged from a drawn-out slumber.

The Nikkei in Japan was also boosted by the continued weakness of the yen, while a rally on Wall Street capped a two-day losing streak and provided extra impetus to Asian buyers.

Tokyo climbed 0.94 per cent by the break, Hong Kong jumped 0.98 per cent and Shanghai advanced 0.61 per cent, while Seoul was up 0.50 per cent and Sydney gained 0.38 per cent.