First Plus Asset Management (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (“First Plus Thailand”), in collaboration with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”) and Hwabao WP Fund Management Co., Ltd. (“Hwabao WP Fund”), hosted an investment seminar titled “Harvesting China’s AI Boom” at InterContinental Bangkok on 20 October 2026.
The event brought together approximately 100 participants, including representatives from SZSE, Shenzhen Securities Information Co., Ltd., Hwabao WP Fund, CLSA and more than 20 investment institutions in Thailand. Discussions focused on developments in China’s capital markets and investment opportunities across its artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The seminar also introduced the upcoming launch of First Plus ChiNext Artificial Intelligence FIF, a Thai feeder fund scheduled for its initial offering in November 2026.
First Plus Thailand Reaffirms Its Long-Term Commitment to the Thai Market
In his opening remarks, Zishu Liu, Chief Executive Officer of First Plus Thailand, highlighted the opportunities emerging in Thailand’s asset management industry and reaffirmed the firm’s long-term commitment to the market.
He noted that First Plus Thailand will continue to invest in its team and capabilities, with a focus on serving investors and strengthening connections between the Chinese and Thai capital markets. The firm’s guiding commitment remains: “Rooted in Thailand, serving Thailand and growing together.”
SZSE Highlights Developments in China’s ETF Market
Representatives from SZSE provided an overview of the exchange’s ETF market and its development priorities. They discussed how Shenzhen-listed ETFs provide investors with exposure to innovative and growth-oriented companies across a range of sectors and investment strategies.
SZSE also outlined its plans to further develop ChiNext, with an emphasis on supporting high-growth companies, emerging industries and technological innovation, while facilitating the transformation of traditional industries.
A representative from Shenzhen Securities Information Co., Ltd. presented “ChiNext Market Indices: Benchmarks for China’s Innovation Economy”, covering the methodology and performance of the ChiNext index series and their role in providing indexed exposure to China’s innovation-driven economy.
CLSA Discusses China’s Technology Outlook
Yuhe Wu, China Technology Analyst at CLSA, presented “China Technology Outlook: The Rise of Localisation and AI-Powered Growth”.
She observed that growing demand for lower latency and higher concurrency in agentic AI applications is shifting the focus of domestic AI chip development from individual chip performance towards full-stack, system-level efficiency.
In her view, localisation and AI development will be important drivers of growth across Chinese industries, and demand for AI in China is expected to be one of the most important technology industry trends over the coming year.
Hwabao WP Fund Examines AI Investment Opportunities
Jing Zhou, Chief Investment Officer of Hwabao WP Fund, discussed the development of the AI industry from a global asset allocation perspective, including its growing importance in investment portfolios. He also highlighted Hwabao WP Fund’s focus on building differentiated investment capabilities, earning investors’ trust and maintaining a commitment to social responsibility.
Xuchen Cao, Fund Manager of the Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF, then examined China’s AI value chain. Using the analogy of the “brain and nervous system”, he explained the growth drivers of China’s optical module industry, an area of established strength, providing insights into investment opportunities across China’s AI sector.
First Plus Thailand Introduces Upcoming ChiNext AI Feeder Fund
Concluding the seminar, Vasu Srithimasathaporn, Strategist at First Plus Thailand, introduced the First Plus ChiNext Artificial Intelligence FIF (FP CHINA AI), scheduled for its initial offering in Thailand in November 2026.
The fund is structured as a feeder fund investing in the Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF (159363), providing Thai investors with a channel to gain exposure to companies represented by the underlying ETF.
Through continued collaboration with institutions across the Chinese and Thai capital markets, First Plus Thailand aims to expand the range of cross-border investment products available to Thai investors.
About the Shenzhen Stock Exchange
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange supports the development of China’s capital markets through initiatives focused on investor education, market innovation and index-based investing. According to SZSE, ChiNext has nearly 1,400 listed companies with a combined market capitalisation exceeding RMB 18 trillion. Its index and related investment product offerings have expanded internationally, with products spanning major markets in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Assets tracking ChiNext indices exceed RMB 200 billion.
About Hwabao WP Fund
Hwabao WP Fund Management Co., Ltd. is an established Chinese asset manager with a broad range of exchange-traded funds. Its AI-focused ETF offerings cover computing power, large models and applications, including the Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF (159363). As at 30 June 2026, Hwabao WP Fund managed RMB 124.9 billion in equity ETF assets, ranking ninth among 56 Chinese public fund managers operating equity ETF businesses. Sources: 2026 interim fund reports; China Galaxy Securities.
About First Plus Thailand
First Plus Asset Management (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is an asset management company regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand. It holds licences for mutual fund, private fund and provident fund management and provides investment management services to clients in Thailand. The firm also holds Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) status in China, supporting its cross-border investment activities between the two markets.
Fund Structure and Risk Information
First Plus ChiNext Artificial Intelligence FIF is a Thailand-domiciled feeder fund that, under its stated investment policy, will invest at least 80% of its assets in the Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF (159363), its underlying China-domiciled fund. The feeder fund and underlying ETF are separate investment vehicles subject to the respective regulatory frameworks of Thailand and China. Their regulatory requirements and arrangements relating to investor protection, valuation, taxation, custody, redemptions and disclosure may differ. Investors should carefully review the Thai feeder fund’s prospectus and other relevant offering documents, including its investment policy, fees, currency exposure, liquidity arrangements and risks associated with investing through an overseas underlying fund.
Important Information
This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, invitation, solicitation or recommendation to subscribe for, purchase or sell any investment product, nor does it constitute investment, legal or tax advice. First Plus ChiNext Artificial Intelligence FIF is intended for offering in Thailand in accordance with applicable Thai laws and regulations. This article is not intended to constitute an offer of the fund in Singapore or any other jurisdiction where such an offer would be unauthorised. Views expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of First Plus Asset Management. Market observations and forward-looking statements reflect views as at the date of the seminar and are subject to change. Investments involve risks, including market volatility, foreign exchange fluctuations and the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should consider their investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance, and refer to the relevant fund offering documents before making any investment decision.
Additional Disclosure Relating to the Underlying China-Domiciled ETF
The Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF (159363) is managed by Hwabao WP Fund Management Co., Ltd. Distributors are not responsible for the investment management of the ETF or its China-domiciled feeder fund. Their obligations in relation to subscriptions, redemptions and other services are governed by the applicable fund documents, distribution agreements and regulatory requirements. Authorised participating dealers may charge commissions of up to 0.5% for subscriptions and redemptions of the ETF. Secondary-market trading fees are determined by the relevant securities firms. Under the Chinese fund manager’s investor suitability framework, the Hwabao WP ChiNext AI ETF and its relevant China-domiciled feeder fund are classified as R4 (medium-to-high risk) and are generally intended for investors with a C4 (Active) risk profile or above, subject to the applicable distributor’s suitability assessment. This classification should not be interpreted as the risk rating of the Thailand-domiciled First Plus ChiNext Artificial Intelligence FIF. Investors should review the applicable fund contract, prospectus, product summary and other legal documents. Risk assessments may vary among distributors, subject to applicable Chinese regulatory requirements. Registration of a fund with the China Securities Regulatory Commission does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of its investment merits, market prospects or returns. The performance of other funds managed by Hwabao WP Fund does not guarantee the performance of the underlying ETF.
The information above is subject to the relevant fund documents and applicable regulatory requirements.