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Asian markets opened the new year on a positive note, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rising 2.2%, fueled by a rally in technology stocks, particularly Alibaba and Baidu. Baidu's shares surged 7.5% following its announcement to spin off its AI chip division, while overall growth in AI usage is anticipated to drive demand for essential components. Other regional indices, including South Korea's Kospi and Taiwan's Taiex, also posted gains, reflecting a broader trend in the sector.