The powerful tool is here: Korean investors can now buy Chinese AI semiconductors with one click

Recently, a leading South Korean asset management firm launched an ETF tracking the China AI Semiconductor Index. Following last August, when Korea’s top asset manager KIM introduced a China AI ETF, another Korean institution has launched an ETF to capture opportunities in China’s AI semiconductor sector. This ETF was listed on the Korea Exchange on March 10, 2026.

KB Asset Management Launches RISE China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus ETF

On March 10, 2026, German index provider Solactive announced a partnership with Korea’s well-known asset management firm KB Asset Management to launch the “RISE China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus” ETF. This ETF tracks the Solactive China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus Index, providing investors exposure to China’s AI semiconductor value chain and capturing investment opportunities driven by China’s efforts to strengthen its domestic AI infrastructure and semiconductor capabilities.

KB Asset Management, a subsidiary of Korea’s KB Financial Group, was established in 1988 and is one of Korea’s leading comprehensive asset management firms. It offers a full range of services including mutual funds, investment consulting, and alternative investments, with assets under management ranking among the top in Korea.

In a press release, KB Asset Management stated that as global investment in AI technology continues to heat up, China has intensified efforts to enhance its autonomous AI ecosystem. It cited a research report from MERICS (Mercator Institute for China Studies) indicating that advancing AI chips and large language model R&D are core strategic policies for China’s technological self-reliance. Industry research also shows that fields such as AI infrastructure, cloud computing, and high-performance computing applications are continuously deepening, supporting segments like wafer foundries, optical communication modules, and semiconductor equipment.

The Solactive China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus Index includes 15 companies, which must be listed in Hong Kong or traded via the Stock Connect mechanism. Selected companies need to meet specific liquidity and size requirements and fall into one of the following categories: semiconductor wafer foundries, AI chips, optical communication modules, or materials and equipment. Additionally, Solactive’s ARTIS® framework provides an extra layer of analysis to ensure each company aligns closely with its category.

Within each category, the largest company by market cap is assigned a fixed weight of 15%. The remaining constituents are selected based on cross-category market cap rankings and weighted through an equal-weighted blend of ARTIS thematic relevance and free float market cap. The index is rebalanced quarterly and includes a monthly IPO inclusion review process.

According to the official website, the current constituents of the index include: Tenda Communication, New Easymode, Huahong Semiconductor, Hygon Information, Horizon Robotics, Cambrian, SMIC Microelectronics, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), Zijing Xuchuang, Sanhuan Group, Tuojing Technology, ChipX, Shengmei Shanghai, North Huachuang, and Lankeng Technology.

South Korean Investors Focus on Chinese Tech

According to SEIBro, a subsidiary of the Korea Securities Depository, as of March 9, the top Hong Kong stocks purchased by Korean investors in the past month are: Lankeng Technology, with a net buy of $5.886 million; PRADA, $4.260 million; China Energy Construction, $4.116 million; Southbound Eastbound Samsung Electronics Daily Leverage (2x), $4.115 million; Global X China Electric Vehicle & Battery ETF, $3.431 million; Premia China Innovation 50 ETF, $3.058 million; Harbin Electric Group, $2.878 million; Southbound Eastbound Hynix Daily Leverage (2x), $2.641 million; China Power International Development, $1.577 million; Southbound Eastbound Hang Seng Tech ETF, $1.443 million.

Meanwhile, Korean investors have also been buying significant amounts of A-shares (or ETFs), including Sany Heavy Industry, Guangxun Technology, China Xidian, China Power Construction, and Yinhua CSI Innovation Drug Industry ETF. Notably, Korean investors net bought $7.520 million worth of Sany Heavy Industry and $1.480 million of Yinhua CSI Innovation Drug Industry ETF.

Source: China Fund News

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