Equities edge up on reform moves

Chinese stocks increased by more than 2 percent on Monday as China will further open its stock markets to foreign investors and expected easing of the trade conflict between the US and China.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped by 2.47 percent to end at 2815.11 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 2.80 percent higher at 9160.62 points. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's growth enterprises board, gained 2.64 percent to close at 1581.93 points.

An index of major banks rose 3 percent. China Construction Bank Corp increased by 5.42 percent, followed by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, China Merchants Bank Co Ltd and Ping An Bank Co Ltd.