Hong Kong stocks rose to a record close Monday amid flush liquidity and a strong performance by China Mobile and Chinese financial stocks. The blue chip Hang Seng Index soared 565.84 points, or 2.7 percent, to close at a record 21,582.89.
Chinese stocks surged as investors reacted to the lack of any market-cooling measures over the weekend. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 2.9 percent to 4,253.35. The Shenzhen Composite Index of China's smaller second market climbed 2.8 percent to 1,257.75.
The Nikkei 225 index rose 178.03 points, or 0.99 percent, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to finish at 18,149.52 points -- its highest close since Feb. 26.
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: The Stock Exchange of Thailand index rose 3 percent to 766.20 in heavy trading.
JAKARTA: Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index gained 0.3 percent to close at 2126.493, down from an intraday high of 2137.455.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares rose 0.9 percent to close at 1372.28.
MANILA: The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 9.20 points, or 0.25 percent, to 3,680.55, surpassing Friday's record close of 3,671.29.
SEOUL: The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, finished up 34.62 points, or 2 percent, at 1806.88.
SINGAPORE: The Straits Times Index rose 42.63 points, or 1.2 percent, to a record closing high of 3623.79.
TAIPEI: Taiwan markets were closed for the annual Dragon Boat festival. They reopen Wednesday.
WELLINGTON: The NZX-50 index closed up 2.2 percent, or 90.7 points, at 4303.18.
SYDNEY: The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 49.6 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6343.4 on good volume.
With files from wire services
