The Chinese artificial intelligence chip market is currently experiencing a period of heightened volatility as several high-profile companies reach the end of their share lock-up periods. On Thursday, MetaX Integrated Circuits will see 14 million shares become eligible for public trading, a move that market analysts warn will likely trigger substantial selling pressure.

This event follows a recent trend of instability within the sector. Last week, a similar expiration of restricted shares for Moore Threads, another prominent AI chip firm, led to a rapid sell-off. According to market data, this activity wiped out nearly 49 billion yuan in value, highlighting the sensitivity of the current tech stock environment in China.

Analysts are closely monitoring the situation to see if the MetaX release will mirror the negative performance seen with Moore Threads. While the expiration of lock-up periods is a standard corporate procedure, the recent market reaction suggests that investors are particularly cautious regarding the long-term stability of AI-focused chip companies. The outcome of Thursday's trading session is expected to serve as a bellwether for investor confidence in the broader domestic semiconductor industry, which remains under pressure to compete with international AI hardware providers despite ongoing regulatory and market hurdles.