Beijing’s Tech Scrutiny: Why Another 2021-Style Crackdown Is Unlikely

Beijing has shifted toward a targeted regulatory strategy for its technology sector, prioritizing economic stability and AI competitiveness over the sweeping crackdowns that defined 2021. While officials have recently launched antitrust probes into industry leaders like Trip.com and summoned major firms over pricing practices, analysts from Evercore and DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group suggest these measures are … Read more

DeepSeek Tells Investors to Stop Poaching Its Talent

Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has mandated that investors in its latest $7.4 billion funding round refrain from poaching its staff, according to a report from a 36Kr-owned outlet. The Hangzhou-based company, now valued at over $50 billion, implemented this non-solicitation clause to stabilize its workforce as competition for top-tier AI engineering talent intensifies among … Read more

Alibaba reveals more powerful Zhenwu AI chip, new LLM

The Blueprint for AI Self-Sufficiency: More Than Just a Chip The global semiconductor landscape is shifting from a centralized model—where a few Western giants hold the keys—to a fragmented, “sovereign AI” approach. Alibaba’s recent unveiling of the Zhenwu M890 is not just a hardware update; it is a strategic declaration of independence. Alibaba booth CIFTIS … Read more

Alibaba’s core profit plunges even as AI and cloud growth accelerate

The High Cost of Dominance: How AI and Instant Delivery are Reshaping the Future of E-Commerce In the high-stakes world of global tech, there is a recurring tension between today’s profit margins and tomorrow’s market share. Recent financial disclosures from Alibaba highlight this struggle perfectly: a plunge in core profitability paired with explosive growth in … Read more

Chinese stocks are about to get a big AI boost, Morgan Stanley predicts

The AI Pivot: How New Giants are Reshaping the Hang Seng Tech Index The Hong Kong technology sector is witnessing a fundamental transformation. While the Hang Seng Tech Index has struggled recently—tumbling more than 11% so far this year—a massive surge of capital is on the horizon. The catalyst? The entry of two powerhouse artificial … Read more

China ships more humanoid robots than the U.S.

The Great Robot Divide: Why Hardware Dominance May Outlast Software Hype For years, the narrative around humanoid robots has been dominated by flashy demos and astronomical valuations. In the U.S., companies like Figure and Apptronik are being priced not just as robotics firms, but as the architects of a novel AI era. They are viewed … Read more

Secret sauce behind Alibaba’s animation studio

Alibaba and the New Battleground for Global Entertainment: Data, AI, and the China Factor Alibaba is increasingly focused on understanding what global audiences *seek* to watch, not just what its creators *want* to build. This data-driven approach, coupled with advancements in AI, is reshaping the entertainment landscape, both within China, and internationally. The Power of … Read more

AI startups go global from day one

China’s AI Startups Are Building to Win Globally A shift is underway in China’s artificial intelligence landscape. Increasingly, Chinese AI startups aren’t prioritizing their domestic market, but rather setting their sights on global expansion from day one. This strategy is fueled by a combination of factors, including a willingness among overseas businesses to experiment with … Read more

Forget DeepSeek. Of China’s 5 new AI models, UBS prefers this one

China’s AI Revolution: MiniMax Challenges DeepSeek and Reshapes the Global Landscape The artificial intelligence landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and China is rapidly emerging as a central force. While DeepSeek initially stunned the world with its cost-effective and powerful AI models, a new contender, MiniMax, is quickly gaining ground. This isn’t just a domestic … Read more

Alibaba unveils Qwen3.5 as China’s chatbot race shifts to AI agents

Alibaba’s Qwen 3.5: China’s Leap Forward in the AI Agent Race Alibaba has launched its Qwen 3.5 series, the latest iteration of its large language model, signaling a significant push in China’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. Released on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Qwen 3.5 arrives amidst a flurry of AI model … Read more