HONG KONG (AP) -- Asian stock markets opened 2009 mostly higher Friday,
with Hong Kong's benchmark up more than 2 percent, as shares in commodities and telecom companies advanced.
A bull is placed to celebrate the opening ceremony for the Year 2009 trading at the Korea Stock Exchange in Seoul,
South Korea, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) started with 1,132.87. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)