Moving on to China's manufacturing sector. A Reuters poll suggested the sector should maintain solid, but slightly slow growth in February.

The result showed official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index might have dipped to 51.2 from 51.3 in January, while the private Caixin reading would be 51.3, which also slowed from 51.5. The week-long Lunar New Year holiday disruptions and tough pollution curbs were said to have caused the small easing. However, the readings would still mark the 20th straight month of expansion for manufacturers. Experts say the sector will see good growth with rising external demand, mild inflation and stable labor cost.