Asian markets end mostly higher on Friday

Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday despite historic inflation surges in the United States and China. Chinese shares gained marginally on signs that the government could ease some tight curbs in the property sector after cash-strapped Chinese property developer Evergrande once again averted a destabilising default with a last-minute bond payment this week, while a major Communist Party meeting ended with a resolution paving the way for President Xi Jinping to potentially rule for life. Moreover, Japanese shares firmed on optimism over strong corporate earnings.