Asian stock markets mixed as oil prices decline

Asian stock markets opened mixed on Monday, weighed down by last week’s decline in oil prices.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipped 1.0 percent to close at 53,663.33 points, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 2.3 percent to 30,619.16 points.

The Shanghai Composite Index in China also dropped 1.7 percent, ending the session at 3,820.82 points.

In contrast, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.3 percent to 6,088.68 points, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.7 percent to finish at 24,684.09 points.