Asian stock markets closed mixed on Tuesday as investors remained cautious ahead of British Prime Minister Theresa May's speech on Brexit plans due later in the day.

China's benchmark index, Shanghai Composite gained 5.35 points or 0.17 percent to close at 3,108.77. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 122.82 points or 0.54 percent to end at 22,840.97. 

South Korea's KOSPI went up 7.70 points or 0.37 percent to end at 2,071.87. Taiwan's TAIEX went up 62.20 points or 0.67 percent to end at 9,354.53.

On the other hand, Japan's benchmark index, Nikkei 225 lost 281.71 points or 1.48 percent to settle at 18,813.53. Singapore's Straits Times fell 4.82 points or 0.16 percent to end at 3,008.30.