Asia-Pacific markets rise as investors await China data, assess escalating Israel-Iran tensions

Asia-Pacific markets rose Monday, as investors assessed escalating Israel-Iran tensions, while awaiting a slew of data from China.

Oil prices jumped as Israel and Iran exchanged strikes, while gold prices rallied, as investors sought refuge in the safe haven metal with equity markets sliding globally. The attacks continued over the weekend.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.87%, while the broader Topix index advanced 0.92%.

In South Korea, the Kospi index climbed 0.55%, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.31%.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.24% in early trade.

Investors will be keeping a close watch on Chinese markets as the Asian superpower is slated to release a slew of data points, including its retail sales and industrial output figures for May.

Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 23,739, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's last close of 23,892.56.