Asian stock markets are trading lower on Thursday. Japan's benchmark index, Nikkei 225 declined 56.36 points or 0.36 percent to trade at 15,564.41.

While China's benchmark index, Shanghai Composite fell 3.53 points or 0.16 percent to trade at 2,198.03. The index has seen a high of 2,209.31 and a low of 2,191.05 after opening at 2,194.17 (10:22pm EST).

Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 172.47 points or 0.7 percent to trade at 24,584.38. The index has registered a high of 24,731.52 and a low of 24,549.81 after opening at 24,594.23 (10:22pm EST).

Singapore's Straits Times lost 26.23 points or 0.78 percent to trade at 3,347.83. The index has recorded a high of 3,351.20 and a low of 3,343.38 after opening at 3,346.41 (10:17pm EST).

South Korea's KOSPI gained 0.63 points or 0.03 percent to trade at 2,076.75. The index has recorded a high of 2,079.81 and a low of 2,062.54 after opening at 2,063.71 (10:37pm EST).

Taiwan's TAIEX lost 68.33 points or 0.73 percent to trade at 9,247.52. The index has witnessed a high of 9,274.64 and a low of 9,201.83 after opening at 9,223.75 (10:17pm EST).