Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve revealed that the Federal Open Market Committee is set to deliver more rate hikes at a slower pace.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.29% in its first hour of trade and the Topix shed 0.83%.
This comes after China on Wednesday unexpectedly canceled EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell's visit to China.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index is also set to fall, with futures at 18,956 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,110.38.
In Southeast Asia, Malaysia's central bank is expected to hold its overnight policy rate steady at 3%, according to a Reuters poll.
Persons:
Janet Yellen, Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell's
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Locations:
Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, Beijing, China, Hong, Southeast Asia