Major stock exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region traded mostly with gains on Monday, as manufacturing activity in the area improved. Meanwhile, the United States-China tariff brawl heated up, as a report claimed that the latter was preparing its countermeasures.

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite lost 0.21% at 7:20 am CET, with the Shenzhen Composite adding 0.28% a minute later. While Hong Kong's Hang Seng stood flat at 7:21 am CET, South Korea's Kospi Composite wasn't trading over a holiday.

At the closing bell, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 advanced by 0.90% and Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 1.60% at 07:22 am CET. The dollar traded 0.14% below the yen at 7:22 am CET, changing hands for 150.29600.