FB Pixel no scriptKrASIA | Decoding China's tech and business pulse
MENU
KrASIA

News

Inflync unveils the L600, a hybrid eVTOL aircraft built for regional travel

2 mins read

Pulses

Huawei stores join Taobao Shangou

just now
36Kr
Huawei has connected 3,000 stores across 247 cities to Taobao Shangou, offering delivery within 30 minutes for customers within a five-kilometer radius. During the first phase of Tmall’s Singles Day campaign, Huawei’s Shangou transactions surged 1,910% week-on-week, adding about 190,000 new customers.

China exports to hit USD 4 trillion in 2026

just now
Nikkei Asia
China’s exports are projected to reach USD 4 trillion in 2026, driven by the global ascent of Chinese brands, according to Euromonitor International. Once seen as low-cost alternatives, brands such as Shein, Alibaba, and BYD are gaining soft power through innovation and design, helping sustain export growth despite ongoing US tariff uncertainty.

iFlytek unveils Spark X1.5 model

just now
36Kr
Chinese tech firm iFlytek unveiled its Spark X1.5 deep reasoning model on November 6, built on domestic computing infrastructure. The model reportedly improves MoE training efficiency and achieves more than 93% of international benchmark performance, supporting over 130 languages with overall capability reaching 95% of GPT-5’s level.

Tencent, Xiaomi, Shein top Gen Z brand list

just now
Beijing Business Today
Snapchat and Kantar have released their first ranking of the top 50 Chinese global brands favored by Gen Z consumers, with Tencent, Xiaomi, and Shein taking the top three spots. The study finds that the Gen Z generation values authenticity, digital experiences, and social connection, driving demand for immersive gaming, smart ecosystems, and personalized e-commerce.

Inflync unveils tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft

just now
KrASIA
Inflync has unveiled the L600, billed as the world’s first full-scale tilt-wing ducted eVTOL aircraft. The six-seat hybrid model offers a 600-kilometer range, modular interiors, and low-noise operation, with about 1,000 intent orders and commercial service planned for 2028.

Insta360 sees gains despite price cuts

just now
SCMP
Insta360 said price competition with DJI has expanded the 360-degree camera market, boosting its Q3 revenue 93% YoY despite thinner margins. The Shenzhen-based company is also entering the drone market through its Antigravity brand, pursuing new growth while investing in chip development to bolster long-term competitiveness.

HashKey seeks Hong Kong listing

just now
KrASIA
HashKey Group, Hong Kong’s largest licensed crypto exchange operator, has confidentially filed for an IPO, according to media reports. If approved, the listing could come as early as this year, testing investor confidence in regulated digital asset platforms amid a volatile market.

France probes TikTok over suicide content

just now
Bloomberg
France has opened an investigation into TikTok for allegedly failing to monitor content promoting suicide. Prosecutors are probing ByteDance’s algorithm and moderation systems after a parliamentary report accused the platform of exposing minors to harmful material and lacking adequate content safeguards.

Xiaomi forms top-level EV tech unit

just now
KrASIA
Xiaomi has created a new architecture department under CEO Lei Jun to guide the long-term development of its EV technologies. The restructuring elevates advanced R&D to a top-level function, signaling Xiaomi’s push to strengthen its technical foundation as it defines its next generation of vehicles.

Amap expands reach of AutoSDK

just now
SCMP
Amap, Alibaba’s mapping and local services arm, has launched a global version of its AutoSDK covering 170 countries and 19 languages. The toolkit is designed to help carmakers tailor in-car navigation systems for overseas markets. Backed by a partnership with Here Technologies, the move positions Amap to challenge Google Maps amid China’s surging vehicle exports.

Xpeng to launch robotaxis, reveals new robot

just now
CNBC
Chinese EV maker Xpeng plans to launch robotaxis next year and begin mass production of its humanoid robot, Iron, as part of a broader AI expansion. The Guangzhou-based firm unveiled three robotaxi models powered by its Turing chips and said trials will start in Chinese cities in 2026, aligning its strategy more closely with Tesla’s.

Aion UT Super rolls off line in Changsha

just now
Securities Times
JD.com, GAC, and CATL have jointly unveiled the Aion UT Super, an EV dubbed the “national car,” as the first unit rolled off GAC Aion’s Changsha smart factory line. The model features CATL’s swappable battery system, a Huawei-powered infotainment platform, and a 500-kilometer range, with presales and test drives now underway.

ByteDance app drops Anthropic’s Claude models

just now
SCMP
ByteDance-backed coding app Trae has discontinued the use of Anthropic’s Claude models after the US firm imposed global restrictions on Chinese-owned entities. Trae said it would rely on other models from OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek to maintain performance, as the move underscores widening US-China tech divisions.

Dianping to invest RMB 3 billion in infrastructure

just now
36Kr
Meituan’s Dianping unit will invest at least RMB 3 billion over the next five years to upgrade its local services information infrastructure. The initiative aims to expand global data verification capabilities and build an AI-driven calibration system using Meituan’s proprietary enterprise model, accelerating its push into overseas markets.

Ant’s AQ app tops ten million users

just now
IT Zhijia
Ant Group’s AQ health app has surpassed ten million monthly active users four months after launch, becoming the first professional-grade AI app to reach the milestone. Data from QuestMobile show its compound monthly growth rate of 83.4% far outpaces the industry average of 13.5%, highlighting growing demand for AI-driven health services.

Video Rebirth raises USD 50 million

just now
Bloomberg
Liu Wei, the former Tencent scientist behind its flagship AI model, has raised USD 50 million for his Singapore-based startup Video Rebirth, which will launch an AI platform in December to rival OpenAI’s Sora. Backed by Qiming Venture Partners and Actoz Soft, the company plans to target professional users and expand globally from Singapore.

Wiz.ai raises Series B funding to expand globally

just now
Wiz.ai
Wiz.ai, a Singapore-based voice AI company, has raised an eight-figure USD sum in a Series B round led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund, with participation from Beacon VC, SMIC SG Holdings, and existing investors Singtel Innov8 and Granite Asia. The funding will strengthen its enterprise AI platform and support expansion into new markets, including Latin America.

HeyMax launches in Hong Kong with Cathay

just now
HeyMax
HeyMax, a Singapore-based loyalty platform, has launched in Hong Kong, its first overseas market, alongside a new partnership with Cathay. The collaboration integrates their miles systems for travel and lifestyle rewards, expanding HeyMax’s open loyalty ecosystem across Asia following its acquisition of Hong Kong fintech firm Krip.

Tencent-backed Uzum targets 2026 raise

just now
SCMP
Uzum, Uzbekistan’s first tech unicorn, is planning a final pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong next year after Tencent’s USD 70 million investment boosted its valuation to USD 1.5 billion. The e-commerce and fintech firm, registered in Abu Dhabi, is targeting a 2027 listing and sees growing Chinese investor interest in Central Asia’s digital market.

Beijing urges Hong Kong to deepen ties

just now
Nikkei Asia
China’s vice premier He Lifeng has urged Hong Kong to align with the country’s next five-year plan and deepen cooperation with the mainland’s economy and financial markets, underscoring Beijing’s push for closer integration. Regulators also unveiled new measures to expand cross-border access and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a bridge to global capital.
See All

Icon for Editor’s PicksEditor’s Picks

Events

GITEX Global 2025 wraps in Dubai with strong turnout and new editions on the horizon

The 45th edition of GITEX Global and its sister event, Expand North Star, drew tens of thousands of participants to Dubai.

4 mins read
  • Insights

    Is Yunfeng Financial becoming Jack Ma’s next Ant Group?

    5 mins read

Venture RoundupVenture Roundup

  • News

    Deals in brief: Accel invests in Vite+ maker VoidZero, Rolo Robotics and Videotto raise seed funding, Coolmate completes Series C round, and more

    7 mins read
    • See All

    Automaker InsightsAutomaker Insights

    • See All

    Retail and CommerceRetail and Commerce

    • See All

    Icon for Casual ChroniclesCasual Chronicles

    100 AI Creators100 AI Creators

    • See All