Asian stock markets closed higher on Tuesday, diverging from New York markets that slipped on concern about President Donald Trump's ability to focus on economic policies.

China's benchmark index, Shanghai Composite gained 8.54 points or 0.26 percent to close at 3,242.41. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 84.79 points or 0.36 percent to end at 23,681.07. Singapore's Straits Times rose 8.93 points or 0.29 percent to end at 3,130.44.

South Korea's KOSPI gained 12.69 points or 0.61 percent to end at 2,094.05. Taiwan's TAIEX gained 55.44 points or 0.57 percent to end at 9,738.07.

On the other hand, Japan's benchmark index, Nikkei 225 declined 34.99 points or 0.18 percent to settle at 19,344.15.