Shares of Baidu Group-SW (BIDU-SW) opened sharply higher, rising 4%. At the time of writing, the stock is up 4% to HK$102.7, with a turnover of HK$17.86 million.

The move follows market reports indicating that Baidu's AI chip subsidiary, Kunlunxin (Kunlun Core), is planning a listing in Hong Kong, targeting a valuation of approximately $50 billion (equivalent to about RMB 340.56 billion at current exchange rates).

Baidu Group had previously announced that Kunlunxin submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange via its joint sponsors on January 1st this year.

Following the proposed spin-off, Kunlunxin is expected to remain a subsidiary of Baidu.