SINGAPORE — Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Tuesday trade, as data showed accelerating Chinese factory activity growth in December.

Hong Kong Hang Seng indexThe stock index climbed by 0.29%. However, stocks in mainland China declined. These were the results. Shanghai compositeThe dropped by 0.3% Shenzhen componentSave 0.568%

According to Tuesday’s private survey, China saw a significant increase in factory activity during December. Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 50.9. This was an improvement from November’s 49.9. According to a Reuters poll, economists had predicted that December would see a rise in the number to 50.

PMI readings are separated by 50 points. This marks growth and contraction. PMI readings show month-on–month expansion and contraction.

According to the official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, December’s reading of 50.1 was higher than November’s. From November’s 50.1, the December official manufacturing PMI was 50.3.

And elsewhere, Nikkei 225Japan’s stock market jumped 1.41% with the Topix index increasing 1.3%. The australian market was a little better. S&P/ASX 200It rose by 1.43%. Japan’s and Australia’s shares began their trading year Tuesday following Monday holidays.

South Korea KospiLoss of earlier gains: 0.3%

MSCI’s Asia-Pacific share index outside Japan was 0.38% lower.

The U.S. dollar indexThe metric, which measures the greenback’s performance against its peers, stood at 96.192. This is compared to levels lower than 96 recently.

The Japanese yenIt traded at 115.42 USD, still less than its levels of 114.9 against the greenback last Wednesday. The Australian dollarYesterday’s $0.726 level was lower at $0.7201, than yesterday’s levels of $0.726.

Petroleum prices rose slightly in the early hours of Asia trade, with an international benchmark Brent crude futuresUp to 0.05% to $79.02 a barrel U.S. crude futuresThe barrel price rose to $76.11 an inch