Most Asian stock markets sank on Thursday as mixed economic signals from Japan and fears of a U.S. recession dented sentiment, although the Hang Seng index rallied on reports that Hong Kong plans to further relax COVID curbs

China's exports and imports shrank at their steepest pace in at least 2-1/2 years in November, as feeble global and domestic demand, COVID-led production disruptions and a property slump at home piled pressure on the world's second-biggest economy.

China's foreign exchange reserves rose more than expected in November, central bank data showed on Wednesday, as the dollar weakened against other major currencies.

Taiwan's exports fell for the third straight month in November and more sharply than forecast due to the worsening state of theglobal economy and China's COVID-19 curbs, with inflation and interest rate rises weighing on demand across the world.

Euro zone gross domestic product (GDP) grew by slightly more than initially estimated, data from the European statistics agency Eurostat showed on Wednesday, with household spending and business investment propping up the economy.

U.S. worker productivity rebounded at a bit faster pace than initially thought in the third quarter, though the trend remained weak, keeping labor costs elevated.