By Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) -Shares of China property developers surged on Monday after first-tier cities eased curbs on home purchases, soon after the Politburo pledged to halt declines in the housing market.

China's central bank said on Sunday it would tell banks to lower mortgage rates for existing home loans before Oct. 31, as part of sweeping policies to support the country's beleaguered property market as the economy slows.

China took steps to lower borrowing costs on as much as $5.3 trillion in mortgages for millions of families in its latest attempt to shore up the troubled property sector.

Six of China's biggest banks said they would tweak interest rates on mortgages for existing home loans following a request to lower them from Beijing's central bank, state media said

Carlos Alcaraz has cruised past Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 6-2 at the China Open for his 200th tour-level victory.

Third-ranked Jessica Pegula responded to losing a marathon first set to rally for a 6-7 (9), 6-1, 6-2 win over Veronika Kudermetova in the third round of the China Open

Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 6-2 at the China Open for his 200th tour-level victory on Sunday. The victory sent Alcaraz to the quarterfinals, and made him the third player born in this century to achieve the 200-win feat along with Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime.