Asia markets advance as China’s inflation retards and Berlusconi agrees to step down.

© Scanpix/AP

Asian equities experienced growth as investors became aware of Berlusconi's forthcoming resignation and China reported drop in inflation rate. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average edged up 1.2%, Shanghai Composite gained 0.8%, and Hang Seng Index advanced 1.7%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index increased 1.2% while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2%.