Chinese equities gained almost 3 percent on Monday, driven by brokerage and financial shares amid recovering investor confidence, analysts said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index climbed 2.96 percent, or 68.6 points, to 2,389.39. The index has gained 31.2 percent so far this year.

The Shenzhen Component Index was up 1.65 percent to 8,771.04.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)