Asian stocks climbed today, with Hong Kong's benchmark up more than 3 percent, amid hopes massive stimulus measures in the U.S. and beyond will mitigate the worst global slowdown in decades, according to AP. Investors were optimistic the U.S. plan, which swelled to $920 billion as of Thursday, would soon win approval from lawmakers, providing some clarity about how long recession in the world's largest economy might last. Debate in the Senate continued for the fourth day as some lawmakers pressed for cuts. Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 126.97 points, or 1.6 percent, to 8,076.62, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 423.22 points, or 3.2 percent, to 13,602.12. South Korea's Kospi was up 2.8 percent at 1,210.26. Shanghai's index rose 4 percent, Australia's benchmark was up 1.2 percent and Taiwan's main stock measure was 2.5 percent higher.
