European stocks surged to record highs, driven by significant gains in the Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets. The STOXX 600 index hit a record intraday high, buoyed by China's latest stimulus measures, which triggered a global rally. This upward momentum saw European equities testing new record levels and set the stage for weekly gains. The positive sentiment was evident as European markets opened slightly higher, reflecting investor optimism about the global economic outlook. The STOXX 600 also reached near record high levels.