SYDNEY, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Chinese firm Horizon Robotics

is aiming to raise up to $696 million in a Hong Kong initial

public offering (IPO) as the city's listings market shows signs

of renewed activity after a year-long slump.

The company will sell 1.36 billion shares in a price range

of HK$3.73 to HK$3.99 ($0.51) each, according to the company's

filings.

If successful, the IPO will be the largest in Hong Kong in

2024, eclipsing China Resources Beverage which began book

building on Tuesday for its up to $650 million listing.

Cornerstone investors have subscribed for $219.8 million

worth of Horizon Robotic stock led by Alisoft China and Baidu ( BIDU )

which have bid for $50 million each, the filings

showed.

($1 = 7.7685 Hong Kong dollars)