The interest rate cuts and further economic stimulus announced last week by Chinese authorities continue to boost the stocks representing interests in that nation.

Chinese stocks extended a blistering rally on Monday with those in the mainland headed for their best month in almost a decade, as Beijing rolled out further stimulus measures to arrest a slowdown in the broad economy.

Beijing's economic stimulus measures extended China's market rally into a second week, while Japan's choice of former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the country's next prime minister knocked down shares in Tokyo.