China’s economy may have expanded about 8.4% in the first quarter, the least since the first half of 2009, according to an estimate given by an official 10 days before the data is due.

Asian stocks rose today, lifted by a positive report on US manufacturing, but shares in Japan sank as a strengthening yen hurt the country's powerhouse export sector.

Asia's major stock markets are mostly lower as nervous investors turn their focus to China after digesting a report showing a slowdown in Japanese industrial production.

Asian stocks tumbled for a second day, with South Korea’s market sinking more than 8%, as a barrage of downbeat company forecasts deepened fears of a global recession.

Asian stock markets slipped in early trade today, tracking Wall Street lower as investors cashed in profits following a two-day rally.