DHAKA: Asian markets remained reasonably calm on Tuesday as full-year economic numbers from China arrived in line with expectations.

China’s economy grew by 6.9% in 2015, compared with 7.3% a year earlier, reports the BBC.

The numbers mark its slowest growth in a quarter of a century, but did little to rock investor sentiment.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up 0.26% at 19,290.68 points, while the mainland's Shanghai Composite was up 0.58% at 2,932.14.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 0.7% at 16,834.13 in late morning trade.

On Monday, Japanese shares hit a one-year low as oil prices dropped below $28 a barrel for the first time since 2003.

In Australia, investors continued to trade cautiously after the latest news about China’s economy, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 up 0.35% at 4,875.60.

Some energy-related shares were in positive territory on Tuesday having made losses a day earlier on oil price worries.

BHP Billiton shares were up 0.55%, but Santos shares were in negative territory again, down 2.3%.

In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index was down 0.52% at 1,868.58.

Official numbers released on Tuesday showed producer prices in the country fell in December for the 17th month in a row. On a brighter note, however, the pace at which prices have been falling slowed.

BDST: 1205 HRS, JAN 19, 2016
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