AI-linked IPOs in China are exploding. But it's not easy for foreigners to join the party

China’s hottest artificial-intelligence listings are delivering eye-popping gains.

Shares of chipmaker MetaX Integrated Circuits skyrocketed almost 700% in their Shanghai market debut last week, while Moore Threads soared over 400% on its first day of trading earlier this month.

While domestic investors scramble for exposure to promising Chinese tech listings, overseas investors are largely left out from partaking in such blockbuster offerings.

Foreign retail investors in particular are shut out of mainland China IPOs: “It’s not even possible. Unless they open up an account with a Chinese broker,” said Chris Zhang, executive director at Chinese financial services firm China Fortune Securities Company.

Opening an onshore brokerage account with a Chinese securities firm requires a linked Chinese bank account, which generally requires a proof of residence in China, or a Chinese visa with sufficient validity. Foreigners also need to already hold other mainland-listed shares before being eligible to participate in an IPO lottery.