Korean investors increase bets on China's tech stocks despite broader market weakness

Korean investors have increased their exposure to China's technology and advanced manufacturing sectors during a recent pullback in mainland China stocks, suggesting continued appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) and hard-tech themes despite broader market weakness, according to market analysts on Monday. They turned net buyers of several China-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and technology stocks on Thursday, when mainland Chinese markets saw a notable decline. The buying was concentrated in products tracking robotics, semiconductors power-grid equipment and electronics supply chains. The investors also accumulated ETFs tracking China's technology and innovation themes, including products tied to China's STAR Market. They bought a net $3.21 million worth of the China Asset Management Co Robot ETF during the market sell-off, according to data from SEIBro, a portal maintained by the Korea Securities Depository. That was followed by Shenzhen Fastprint Circuit Tech, a leading Chinese printed circuit board maker, with net purchases of $2.73 million, and Guangdong Fenghua Advanced