China stocks set to end week near 3-1/2-year high on AI optimism

China stocks fell on Friday but were on track to end the week near their highest level in 3-1/2-years, as investor sentiment remained upbeat on growing confidence in the country’s artificial intelligence potential.

** China’s blue-chip CSI300 Index was down 0.4% by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.2%. Hong Kong benchmark Hang Seng was down 0.7%.

** The CSI300 Index has climbed nearly 2% so far this week, hitting its highest point since February 2022. The Hang Seng Index slipped nearly 1%, but still hovered near its strongest…