The Hang Seng jumped 503 points or 2.4% to end at 21,417 on Monday, marking its second straight session of gains and the highest close in two months.

Broad-based buying boosted sentiment, with the tech sector up 2.3%, after the Trump administration granted tariff exclusions on tech goods —most of which are imported from China. Traders largely ignored the possibility that new US tariffs, including on chips, may be imposed in the coming weeks or months.

Optimism was also supported by Beijing's ongoing efforts to calm its domestic markets, including a cap on daily net sales by individual hedge funds and major retail investors at CNY 50 million. On the economic front, China's trade surplus surged in March as exports rose sharply and imports continued to decline ahead of expected tariff hikes.

PICC Property and Casualty climbed 2.7% on upbeat earnings estimates. Notable gainers included Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (6.9%), Pop Mart Intl. (5.6%), AIA Group (4.2%), and Geely Auto (3.9%).

Source: Trading Economics