Chinese equities closed higher on Monday, helped by the pharmaceutical sectors boosted by the flu epidemic, and Shanghai's ambitious plan for a Walt Disney park yet to be announced.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 80.80 points, or 2.70 percent, to end at 3076.65. The Shenzhen Component Index added 418.49 points, or 3.40 percent, to close at 12715.65.

Combined turnover expanded to 254.17 billion yuan (37.22 billion U.S. dollars), from 217.03 billion yuan (31.78 billion U.S. dollars) on Friday.