07:06 AM EDT, 04/09/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were uneven Wednesday as China-exposed exchanges gained on hopes for stimulus, while other markets were dented by the ongoing tariff turmoil.

Hong Kong and Shanghai gained, while Tokyo finished in the red. Other regional exchanges were lower, barring Bangkok.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened sharply lower and never recovered, finishing off 3.9% as traders assessed intensifying trade tensions between China and the US.

A stronger yen undercut export issues.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 1,298.55 to 31,714.03, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 207 to 16. Industrial robot-maker Yaskawa Electric declined 8.9%, while Japan Steel Works rose 3.9%.

In economic news, Japan's official consumer confidence index fell to 34.1 last month from 34.8 in February, slipping further below the 50-level that separates optimism from pessimism, reported the Cabinet Office.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower but rose to the close, finishing up 0.7%.

The trading started in the red zone after US President Donald Trump's 104% tariff on Chinese imports became effective, but gained in the afternoon on signals Beijing would boost economic stimulus to overcome trade woes. China will take "resolute and forceful" measures to protect its rights and interests after the latest Trump tariffs came into force, CNBC reported Wednesday, citing China's foreign ministry.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 136.81 to 20,264.49, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 47 to 32. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 2.6% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 3.1%.

Leading the upside was Semiconductor Manufacturing International, gaining nearly 11%, while insurer AIA declined 6%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 1.3% to 3,186.81.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 1.7%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 5.8%; the Australian ASX 200 dropped 1.8%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 2.2%, but the Thai Set rose 1.3%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.6%.

In other news, the Reserve Bank of India cut its key policy interest rate to 6% from 6.25%, citing moderating inflation and tariff turmoil.