Asian markets lifted by US employment rate, China manufacturing figures

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets mostly rose Monday as dealers cheered an improvement in the US unemployment rate and another batch of manufacturing figures indicated China's economy is emerging from a slumber.

Investors appeared unmoved by figures confirming Japan's economy shrank in the three months to September, as traders keep their sights on Sunday's general election, which is expected to see Yoshihiko Noda's government ousted.

Tokyo ended flat, edging up 0.07 per cent, or 6.36 points, to 9,533.75, Sydney gained 0.13 per cent, or 6.1 points, to close at 4,557.9, while Seoul also closed flat, losing 0.03 points to 1,957.42.

In the afternoon Hong Kong gained 0.28 per cent, while Shanghai rose 1.19 per cent.