Regional stocks mostly gained on Monday, taking their cue from a buoyant Nasdaq Composite Index, which posted a second straight record on Friday amid optimism over artificial intelligence and less uncertainty over US trade policy.

Investors are growing confident that US President Donald Trump's constantly-changing trade policy will not derail the surge in investment around artificial intelligence.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened 87 points, or 0.35 percent, higher at 24,946.

Across the border, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened up 0.05 percent at 3,637, while the Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.27 percent higher at 11,159.

Further afield, Australian shares rose to a record high earlier in the day as lithium stocks led index heavyweight miners higher following a report that battery manufacturer CATL had suspended production at a major Chinese mine for at least three months.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.2 percent at 8,827 by midday after hitting an all-time high of 8,852 earlier in the session. (Agencies/Xinhua)