Asian stock markets lifted by China manufacturing data

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets mostly climbed on Thursday after data showed manufacturing activity in the world's No. 2 economy picked up strongly this month, while Tokyo was lifted by renewed weakness in the yen.

Traders are also keeping an eye on developments in Europe, where officials in Cyprus will present later in the day a revised fund-raising plan to help it access crucial bailout cash.

Wall Street provided a positive lead after the US Federal Reserve kept its huge stimulus measures in place and said the economy has shown signs of picking up.

Tokyo climbed 1.2 per cent by the break, Seoul added 0.3 per cent, Hong Kong was up 0.33 per cent and Shanghai climbed 0.1 per cent, while Sydney was 0.18 per cent lower.