(SOUNDBITE) (English)  TARA JOSEPH,
"A fresh snapshot of China's slumping manufacturing sector is likely to dominate trade early on Wednesday."

The HSBC/Markit PMI survey has come in below the key 50 number since January. That 50 level separates expansion from contraction.

And if Wednesday's preliminary flash figure comes in low, it could prompt expectations for further government action to boost the nation's economy just one week after China posted it's weakest economic growth figure in almost a year and a half.

A high level diplomatic gathering in Japan as U.S. president Obama arrives in Tokyo to meet Prime Minister Abe.

Japan's souring relationship with China and South Korea will top the agenda for the U.S. meeting with it's closest Asian ally.

Abe has again underlined his nationalist agenda by sending an offering to the Yasukuni shrine, built to commemorate individuals who died in service of the Empire of Japan.

And Thailand's central bank reviews interest rates which are sitting at a more than three-year lows of 2 percent.

After a cut last month the Bank of Thailand may want to pause before moving further.

Thailand's ongoing political turmoil remains a factor for business sentiment and major investors.

Car manufacturers, in particular, are looking at moving assembly plants to Southeast Asia's largest economy, Indonesia, which could replace Thailand as the biggest car market in the region as early as this year.

ENDS