Stocks rally as sentiments get a lift

China's stocks rallied by more than 2 percent on Monday to the highest level in almost a month. More than 2,000 shares gained as investors' sentiment rose after the nation's securities regulator installed a new chairman over the weekend.

Analysts and investors alike have high expectations that the securities regulator's new chief, Liu Shiyu, a veteran banker, will help to speed upmarket reform and perfect market laws.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, appointed Liu as chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, removing Xiao Gang fromthe post.