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Baidu reimagines search as the race to build the first AI superapp continues

6 mins read

Pulses

China phone sales post sharp May drop

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SCMP
Smartphone shipments in China fell 21.8% YoY in May to 23.7 million units, reversing a three-month rebound and marking the steepest decline this year. Domestic brands saw a 24.2% fall, while foreign brands like Apple slipped 9.7%, according to CAICT. Analysts cite delayed launches, economic strain, and paused subsidies, though new state funding is expected later this year.

JDP to build first Middle East hub in UAE

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Securities Daily
JD Property has signed a deal with the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) to build and operate a 70,000-square-meter logistics facility, its first self-developed hub in the Middle East. The site will support cross-border e-commerce across the GCC and MENA regions, aiming to reduce logistics costs for Chinese firms entering the market.

Trump says TikTok deal talks to resume

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Nikkei Asia
President Donald Trump said the US will begin talks with China on July 7 or 8 over a possible TikTok deal, which he described as “pretty much” complete. A previous plan to spin off TikTok’s US assets stalled amid tariff tensions. ByteDance faces a September 17 divestment deadline, but Chinese approval remains uncertain.

Anker exec details battery recall causes

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36Kr
Anker Innovations traced its global power bank recall to unauthorized changes in battery cell materials, uncovered through internal testing and supplier audits. In an interview, vice president Xiong Kang said shifts in cathode composition and separator performance raised thermal risks, despite initial denials from the supplier. The case exposes key gaps in upstream quality control.

Xiaomi files IP for lifestyle product push

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36Kr
Xiaomi has filed a broad range of "Xiaomi Life" trademarks across categories including transport, apparel, and convenience foods, with several already approved. In 2025, the company also registered copyrights for SU7-branded lifestyle products, including mugs, blankets, and fridge magnets, signaling a wider IP strategy tied to its automotive line.

EV maker Neta falters in Thailand

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Reuters
Neta Auto, one of the first Chinese EV brands in Thailand, is struggling to meet local production targets under a government subsidy scheme, with sales plunging 48.5% and dealers filing complaints over unpaid debts. Its parent company has entered bankruptcy in China, reflecting the mounting pressure on smaller EV makers amid BYD-led price competition across Asia.

Cyberport’s AI hub hits 90% utilization

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SCMP
Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre has reached over 90% usage since launching in December 2024, backed by a HKD 3 billion subsidy program to grow Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem. Ten projects have been approved, including medical AI models and tools used by government departments. A second site is planned for the Northern Metropolis.

EU stands firm on AI law implementation

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Reuters
The European Commission confirmed it will follow the legal timeline for the AI Act, rejecting calls from firms like Alphabet, Meta, and ASML to delay enforcement. Obligations for general-purpose AI models begin this August, with high-risk model rules set for 2026. Brussels may still ease digital compliance rules for small companies later this year.

TSMC delays Japan plant amid US pivot

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WSJ
TSMC is delaying construction of its second chip plant in Japan to prioritize US expansion ahead of possible Trump-era tariffs on imported semiconductors. The move undercuts Japan’s USD 8 billion-backed Kumamoto project while accelerating Arizona output for clients like Apple and Nvidia. The Japan timeline is now uncertain.

Nissan to export China-made EVs in 2026

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Nikkei Asia
Nissan will begin exporting China-made EVs in 2026, starting with the N7 sedan, as part of a global turnaround plan. Produced in Guangzhou using Chinese AI software, the N7 will be modified for markets with tech restrictions. A new joint venture with Dongfeng Motor will handle exports, aiming to capitalize on low-cost EV production and Nissan’s overseas service network.

Wind and solar reshape China’s capacity mix

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Bloomberg
More than 500 GW of wind and solar will come online in China this year, lifting renewable energy to 48% of total capacity and overtaking coal and gas for the first time. The State Grid Energy Research Institute said the record buildout, including 380 GW of solar, should ease summer shortages and support rising demand, though weather risks persist.

TikTok Shop sees slow start in Japan

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Ebrun
TikTok Shop’s Japan operations posted first-month GMV of just JPY 207,000, led by beauty and personal care categories. Despite access to 33 million monthly e-commerce users, the modest launch highlights the challenge of entering Japan’s market, where high consumer expectations require sellers to test demand and tailor content for visibility.

Xpeng expands SUV lineup with the G7

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36Kr
Xpeng unveiled the G7 SUV on July 3, offering up to 702 kilometers of range and 800-volt fast charging across three trims. The top-tier Ultra model includes three in-house AI chips supporting Level 3 processing and future vision-language-action (VLA) capabilities. VLA features will roll out in September, with cockpit upgrades to follow. Pricing starts at RMB 195,800.

Mexico rejects BYD’s EV plant plan

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Nikkei Asia
Mexico has rejected BYD’s plans to build an EV factory near the US border, declining to provide land or subsidies amid pressure from Washington and ongoing trade talks. The project was expected to rival the scale of BYD’s Brazil plant and could have employed up to 10,000 people. The move stalls the Chinese automaker’s LATAM strategy despite surging sales and dealer expansion in Mexico.

China targets coercive discounting online

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Nikkei Asia
China will bar online platforms from forcing vendors to cut prices below cost under an amended unfair competition law taking effect on October 15. The move reflects concern over deflation, shrinking margins for small businesses, and growing pressure on e-commerce platforms to reform pricing and fee structures.

Lazada to subsidize shipping in Vietnam

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Ebrun
Lazada’s Vietnam site will fully subsidize last-mile delivery fees for LazMall cross-border packages under 15 kilograms starting July 2. The policy applies nationwide across all categories and fulfillment types, with labels shown on eligible items.

China signals crackdown on EV price war

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AP News
China is signaling a crackdown on the destructive EV price war, as officials warn of long-term risks to the domestic automotive sector. BYD’s deep discounts in May drew backlash from rivals and regulators, prompting 17 automakers (including BYD) to pledge supplier payments within 60 days, a move aimed at easing supplier financial strain and curbing excessive competition.

Geely expands Europe push with Italy debut

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Bloomberg
Geely will debut in Italy in Q4 with the all-electric EX5 and a plug-in hybrid SUV, partnering with Jameel Motors to expand its European footprint. While pure EVs made up just 6% of Italy’s vehicle market in June, adoption is climbing, according to 2024 sales figures.  

iPhone sales in China to slow in H2 2025

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SCMP
Apple’s iPhone sales in China are expected to slow in the second half of 2025 amid muted iPhone 17 upgrades, weak consumer demand, and rising competition from Huawei, according to Counterpoint Research. This follows an 8% YoY rise in Q2, driven by discounts and subsidy-backed promotions.

France fines Shein for deceptive pricing

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Nikkei Asia
France’s antitrust agency has fined Shein EUR 40 million for misleading discount practices, finding that 57% of advertised deals on its French site between October 2022 and August 2023 misled consumers. Shein accepted the penalty and said the issues were resolved in 2023.
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