Asian stocks rose after Premier Wen Jiabao said China will increase measures to support growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Gains were limited amid concern about falling profits for Asian companies.

Nikkei 225 8,724.12 +4.11 +0.05%

S&P/ASX 200 4,105.1 +22.85 +0.56%

Shanghai Composite 2,147.96 -37.93 -1.74%

Guangzhou R&F Properties Ltd., a developer in the southern Chinese city, advanced 4.9 percent in Hong Kong.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd. soared 18 percent after Australian mining magnate Nathan Tinkler offered to buy out the rest of the coal producer.

Daekyung Machinery & Engineering Co. fell 8.3 percent in Seoul after a shipmaker dropped its bid for the chemical machinery maker.

ZTE Corp., a Chinese telecommunications equipment maker, slumped 16 percent after saying first-half profit may plunge 80 percent.