File photo: AFP

Hong Kong stocks rallied at the start of trade Monday. The Hang Seng Index surged 2.52 percent, or 578.44 points, to 23,539.91.

China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.69 percent, or 19.61 points, to 2,871.96, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on the country's second exchange gained 0.74 percent, or 13.20 points, to 1,799.71.