Stocks in Asia edged higher in lackluster trade on Thursday a day after Christmas, as markets in Australia and Hong Kong remained closed for the holiday.

Mainland Chinese stocks rose on the day, with the Shanghai composite up 0.85% to around 3,007.35 and the Shenzhen component adding 0.72% to 10,303.72. The Shenzhen composite also gained 0.721% to about 1,709.45.

The Nikkei 225 in Japan was closed 0.6% higher at 23,924.92 while the Topix index added 0.57% to finish the trading day at 1,731.20.

South Korea's Kospi also gained, ending 0.36% higher at 2,197.93 as shares of chipmaker SK Hynix jumped about 1%.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index was 0.11% higher.

Major markets across the region — including Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia — were closed on Wednesday for Christmas.