Stocks extend biggest gain in four months

Chinese mainland stocks rose for a third day, led by property developers and commodity producers, on continued optimism policymakers will unveil more measures to boost growth at this week's legislative meeting.

The Shanghai Composite Index completed its biggest three-day gain since November. Hangzhou Binjiang Real Estate Group Co rallied for a fourth day on speculation that rising home prices in the country's top cities will buoy earnings. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose for a third day.

Mainland shares have rallied this week before the Saturday start of the National People's Congress, where deputies will sign off on a new five-year economic plan, and as global equities climbed on improving US economic data. The gains have pared the Shanghai measure's losses this year to 19 percent.