The Shanghai Composite was last up 0.8% after opening 2.2% lower. It was the second day Chinese markets had to react to the worsening coronavirus since closing for the Lunar New Year holiday more than a week ago. Monday was the index's worst day since August 2015's"Black Monday," when global markets were rattled by fears of an economic slowdown in China.The Shenzhen Component Index also opened 2.1% lower, but also reversed course and rose 1.5%.
Monday's losses wiped out a combined $445 billion in the two indexes' stock value.China's currency, meanwhile, strengthened a little compared to Monday. The onshore yuan was last trading at about 7 yuan to one US dollar. Offshore, where the yuan trades more freely, the currency was also going for about 7 yuan per US dollar. Read MoreElsewhere, Japan's Nikkei 225 edged up a little Tuesday, while South Korea's Kospi rose 1.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1.1%.