Chinese shares continued last week's rising streak on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 1.95 percent led by agricultural and real estate stocks.

The Shanghai index climbed 44.39 points to 2,325.48. The Shenzhen Component Index rose 2.76 percent, or 238.24 points, to 8,885.75.

Gains outnumbered losses by 760 to 88 in Shanghai and 645 to 88 in Shenzhen.

Combined turnover expanded to 227.4 billion yuan (US$33.25 billion) from 205 billion yuan on last Friday, the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2009)