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

Insights

Smart glasses: The optics behind the comeback of wearable displays

5 mins read

Pulses

GAC, Huawei launch new EV brand

just now
Jiemian News
GAC and Huawei have launched Qijing, a high-end EV brand offering cars priced above RMB 300,000 and jointly defined from design through launch using Huawei’s development systems. The first model, due in June next year, targets younger buyers focused on design and driving performance, giving GAC a new entry into the premium segment as it restructures after recent losses.

CATL co-founder sells 1% stake

just now
SCMP
CATL co-founder Huang Shilin has sold a 1% stake for RMB 1.7 billion, transferring 45.6 million A shares to 16 investors at a small discount to the market price. He retains more than 9% of the company, whose shares have rallied on technology advances and overseas growth as CATL delivered 297.2 GWh of EV batteries in the first nine months.

Unitree, Star Plus form joint venture

just now
Nikkei Asia
Unitree Robotics and Star Plus Legend have formed an equal-stake joint venture to develop bipedal and quadrupedal robots built around character IP. The companies plan to combine Unitree’s robotics technology with Star Plus' content expertise and explore commercial formats such as musical performances to make consumer robots more personable and versatile.

BYD launches Atto 2 DM-i in Barcelona

just now
BYD
BYD has unveiled its Atto 2 DM-i hybrid car model in Barcelona, offering up to 90 kilometers of electric-only driving and a total range of about 1,000 kilometers through a 1.5-liter engine that supports the motor. The launch also included the fully electric Atto 2 Comfort, expanding BYD’s compact SUV lineup in Europe.

KKR starts raising fifth Asia fund

just now
Reuters
KKR is seeking USD 15 billion for its fifth Asia private equity fund, sources said, with the final size potentially exceeding the target. The raise comes amid rising regional deal activity and follows more than USD 7.3 billion returned from KKR’s Asia portfolio this year, alongside recent exits in Japan and India and continued fundraising by global peers.

Lenovo plans “AI super agent” launch

just now
SCMP
Lenovo will introduce a global “personal AI super agent” in January after posting Q2 revenue of USD 20.5 billion, up 15% YoY, and a 5% profit decline to USD 340 million. The company added its long-term supply contracts may help offset rising memory chip prices.

ByteDance stake draws USD 480 billion valuation

just now
Bloomberg
Capital Today purchased a ByteDance stake at a valuation of about USD 480 billion after a competitive auction for shares held by Bank of China Group Investment. The USD 300 million deal, well above ByteDance’s recent buyback levels, signals strong investor demand as the company advances its AI businesses and faces US negotiations over TikTok ownership.

Lenovo, Xiaomi flag rising costs

just now
Nikkei Asia
Lenovo and Xiaomi have warned of upcoming price increases as memory chip shortages push up component costs. Lenovo reported a 5% YoY drop in quarterly net profit to USD 340 million as margins narrowed, while Xiaomi said long-cycle memory price rises will pressure margins for phones, tablets, and notebooks and may weigh on next year’s smartphone demand.

Xiaomi surpasses delivery goal early

just now
Sohu
Xiaomi has produced its 500,000th car at its Beijing factory 19 months after its first rollout, setting a record pace in China’s EV market. CEO Lei Jun said the milestone demonstrates Xiaomi’s manufacturing and service capabilities as it targets more than 400,000 deliveries this year and plans RMB 200 billion in R&D investment over five years.

US approves chip exports to Middle East

just now
WSJ
US authorities have cleared sales of up to 70,000 advanced AI chips to the UAE’s G42 and Saudi Arabia’s Humain, reversing earlier security concerns while adding controls to prevent access by China. The decision follows recent talks between US President Donald Trump and Gulf leaders and opens the door for wider exports by Nvidia, AMD, and major US cloud providers.

UBTech to ramp up output

just now
SCMP
UBTech Robotics plans to raise annual humanoid robot output to 5,000 units in 2026 and 10,000 in 2027, saying China’s supply chain is reducing manufacturing costs by up to 30% a year. The firm has delivered about 500 units in 2025 and holds more than RMB 800 million in orders, with deployments across automotive and logistics sites.

Chinese air purifiers catch on in India

just now
Nikkei Asia
Air purifier demand has surged in New Delhi as “severe” pollution pushes households to secure cleaner indoor air, with Chinese brands like Xiaomi gaining ground as entry models sell out online. Retailers note that high-end buyers still favor Western brands, while analysts note that unequal access to clean air highlights broader public health challenges.

Luckin eyes return to US market

just now
Dao Insights
Luckin Coffee is reportedly advancing plans to relist on a US exchange, an effort with no set timeline that is moving forward with local government support. The bid follows about 50% YoY revenue growth in Q3 2025 and ongoing store expansion, but its path is complicated by PCAOB sanctions tied to its 2021 audit and shifting US scrutiny of Chinese firms.

xAI weighs USD 15 billion raise

just now
WSJ
xAI is in talks to raise USD 15 billion at a USD 230 billion valuation, according to people familiar with details shared with investors by Elon Musk’s wealth manager, Jared Birchall. The talks follow earlier funding for its Memphis data center as the company expands infrastructure spending. Musk has publicly disputed prior reports describing the fundraising effort.

Pony.ai launches autonomous truck platform

just now
Pony.ai
Pony.ai has partnered with Sany Heavy Truck and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor to develop its fourth-generation autonomous truck platform, which features a modular design and full-redundancy safety architecture. Two pure electric models are slated for mass production in 2026, and the system reuses most components from the firm’s next-generation robotaxi kit, reducing bill-of-material costs by up to 70%.

Geely, Renault plan Brazil push

just now
Cailian Press
Geely and Renault will invest BRL 3.8 billion in Brazil to co-develop new models, including two vehicles built on Geely’s zero- and low-emission platform starting in late 2026. Additional funding will refresh Renault’s lineup through 2027. Geely’s deal to buy 26% of Renault’s Brazil unit expands access to its distribution and engineering network.

PDD lifts profit in third quarter

just now
PDD Holdings
PDD Holdings reported Q3 2025 revenues of RMB 108.28 billion, up 9% YoY, driven by growth in online marketing and transaction services. Net income rose 17% YoY to RMB 29.33 billion, and operating profit reached RMB 25.03 billion, with higher fulfilment and technology costs adding to expenses.

Voyah launches new Taishan SUV

just now
Jiemian News
Voyah has unveiled its new Taishan SUV, offering four versions priced between RMB 379,900–509,900. The large six-seat model features Huawei's autonomous driving system, HarmonyOS 5, tri-chamber air suspension, and an 800V hybrid system delivering up to 350 kilometers of EV range and over 1,400 kilometers combined.

Boyu weighs partners for Starbucks deal

just now
Cailian Press
Boyu Capital is reportedly considering whether to involve GIC and Tencent in the transaction for a stake in Starbucks’ China business. The parties have not commented, and no terms, valuation, or timeline have been disclosed.

Manner Coffee weighs Hong Kong IPO

just now
Jiemian News
Manner Coffee is reportedly weighing a Hong Kong listing as early as 2026. The company said it would not comment on the IPO rumor, and no formal timeline or offering details have been disclosed.
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: Malaysia’s ArmourZero and FeedMe raise funding, Accelerating Asia backs eight startups in 12th cohort, latest China investments, and more

    6 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