Chinese shares rose 2.84 percent Monday, advancing for a third day in a row, amid hopes that the economy may outperform expectations in the first quarter and signs of a recovery.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday that the Chinese economy showed signs of better than expected positive changes in the first quarter as a result of the economic stimulus package adopted by China.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished the day at 2,513.7 points, up 69.48 points from the previous closing of 2444.23 points. The Shenzhen Component Index went up 2.08 percent, or 194.36 points to close at 9539.8.

Gains outnumbered losses by 616 to 205 in Shanghai and 532 to 173 in Shenzhen.

Combined turnover rose to 280.46 billion yuan (US$41.24 billion) from 239.98 billion yuan the previous trading day.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)