China's key stock index hits 19-month high

China's key stock index closed on Monday at its highest level since early March 2013 as the strong performance of heavyweights lifted market sentiment.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, rising for the fifth straight day, climbed 0.43 percent to finish at 2,357.71 points, its highest point in nearly 19 months. The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.12 percent to close at 8,082.85 points.

Total turnover on the two bourses expanded to 374.5 billion yuan (60.9 billion U.S. dollars) from 324.4 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Investors remained bullish on stocks despite a recent strong rally, as gainers outnumbered losers on the two bourses by 2,044 to 623 on Monday.

The ship building and utilities sectors led the gains on Monday, as China Shipbuilding Industry Co. surged 9.98 percent to 6.61 yuan per share and Jiangsu Jiangnan Water Co. jumped 5.71 percent to 18.14 yuan per share.