Artificial intelligence-related stocks lifted Chinese shares to a fresh decade-high on Friday, putting the market on track for its best weekly gain in nearly nine months as bullish sentiment persisted.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index was up 80 points, or 0.32 percent, at 25,184 around midday on Friday.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.67 percent to 3,796 while the Shenzhen Component Index went up 1.32 percent to 12,076.

In Tokyo, Japanese shares rose, with higher bond yields buoying banks and insurers and a weaker yen lifting automakers, while investors globally awaited Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell's speech later in the day for hints on the path for US policy.

The broad Topix index was up 0.5 percent at 3,099 at midday after a three-day losing run.

The more tech-heavy Nikkei was up just 0.1 percent at 42,636, with declines for heavyweights Fast Retailing and Advantest weighing on the overall index. (Reuters/Xinhua)