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

Insights

Chinese suppliers set to gain from global AI boom despite trade tensions

5 mins read

Pulses

BrainCo files for Hong Kong IPO

just now
Wallstreet CN
BrainCo has confidentially filed for a Hong Kong IPO and is working with CICC and UBS on the deal, according to people familiar with the matter. The filing follows the brain-computer interface startup’s recent RMB 2 billion fundraising, the industry’s second largest round globally after Neuralink.

Xpeng plans IPO for flying car unit

just now
Xpeng
Xpeng has hired JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley to prepare an IPO of its flying car unit in Hong Kong, according to people familiar with the matter. The company has confidentially filed for a share sale that could take place this year as it seeks to tap China’s low-altitude economy and expand its frontier technology portfolio.

Pop Mart denies smartphone plans

just now
The Paper
Pop Mart has denied reports that it is developing a smartphone, saying it will instead launch an IP collaboration with a major phone brand. Earlier reports suggested the company planned to release a youth-oriented device. The statement comes as Pop Mart expands into new consumer segments, including jewelry and AI-powered toys.

China curbs pressure on online sellers

just now
Bloomberg
China has banned major e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, JD.com, and Meituan from coercing merchants into promotions, part of new rules aimed at curbing fierce online competition. Effective February this year, the regulations also prohibit false influencer marketing and require platforms to strengthen consumer and data protections.

China to review Meta’s Manus deal

just now
WSJ
China's Ministry of Commerce has said it would review Meta’s USD 2.5 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, founded by Chinese entrepreneurs who relocated the company to Singapore. Sources said the review reflects Beijing’s broader effort to safeguard AI technologies amid an intensifying tech rivalry with the US.

Agibot leads humanoid robot market

just now
The Paper
Omdia ranked Agibot first globally in humanoid robot shipments and market share for 2025, with 5,168 units delivered and a 39% global share. The report said Chinese manufacturers led the sector’s rapid growth and rated Agibot highest in six of eight technical dimensions, ahead of peers including Unitree and Tesla.

Geely’s 2025 sales up 26% YoY

just now
Geely
Geely said its group-wide vehicle sales reached 4.12 million units in 2025, up 26% YoY and surpassing four million for the first time. New energy vehicle (NEV) sales rose 58% to 2.29 million units, raising the group’s NEV penetration to 56%.

Cainiao opens US-Mexico logistics link

just now
36Kr
Cainiao has launched a new G2G cross-border logistics service in the Americas, starting with a route between the US and Mexico. Covering key e-commerce hubs along the west coast in the US and 99% of Mexico, the launch makes Cainiao the first Chinese logistics company to offer G2G operations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Anta bids for 29% stake in Puma

just now
Reuters
Anta Sports has offered to buy the Pinault family’s 29% stake in German sportswear group Puma. The offer is fully financed, though talks have stalled. Artemis, the family’s holding firm, had sought bids above EUR 40 per share. Puma shares rose after the report as investors welcomed potential new backing for the brand’s turnaround plan.

Moore Threads updates SimuMax tool

just now
Moore Threads
Moore Threads has released an updated version of SimuMax, upgrading its open-source simulator for distributed LLM training. The new release adds a visual configuration interface, automated parallel strategy search, and improved Megatron-LM compatibility, turning the tool into an integrated workflow platform for large-scale model optimization.

Z.ai eyes AGI era after DeepSeek

just now
LatePost
Z.ai (also known as Zhipu AI) has reportedly unveiled a 2026 roadmap centered on foundational model innovation, emphasizing new architectures, generalized reinforcement learning, and continual learning. Following DeepSeek’s success, the company reaffirmed its AGI focus. Its GLM-4.7 ranked first among Chinese models, with GLM-5 expected to launch soon.

Xpeng sets 2026 for full autonomy

just now
IT Zhijia
Xpeng chairman He Xiaopeng said 2026 will mark the first true year of full autonomous driving in China and the US. The company also unveiled four new models powered by its second-generation VLA system and confirmed that its robotaxi has cleared closed-track testing ahead of public road trials.

JD.com sets up AI unit

just now
The Paper
JD.com has formed a new business unit to integrate and commercialize its AI initiatives, including the JoyAI app, JoyInside platform, and digital human products. JD also plans to launch new AI-driven plush toys this month following strong initial sales.

Alibaba Cloud launches multimodal AI kit

just now
Shanghai Observer
Alibaba Cloud has unveiled a multimodal interaction development kit combining its Qwen, Wanxiang, and Bailin models to power devices such as AI glasses, learning tools, and robots. Said to be compatible with more than 30 chip platforms, the kit enables low-latency multimodal interaction and links to Alibaba's Model Studio ecosystem for agent-based applications.

Taobao Shangou sees rapid growth

just now
Jiemian News
Taobao Shangou's non-food orders now average ten million per day, signaling strong momentum in quick commerce. The platform saw rising GMV and improved order structure in the December quarter, with losses narrowing faster than competitors as it ramps up investment to secure the top market position.

Nio to expand into Australia, New Zealand

just now
WSJ
Nio will enter Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026, expanding its Firefly-branded EV line as part of a wider global push beyond Europe. The Chinese automaker will also launch in Thailand in March and aims to reach profitability in 2026 amid intensifying competition in its domestic market.

ByteDance denies carmaking rumor

just now
Jiemian News
ByteDance dismissed reports that it is partnering with automakers to build cars, saying it has no such plans. Its Volcano Engine unit continues to serve major carmakers with AI and cloud technologies, including projects with Mercedes-Benz, BMW’s LingYue, and Seres on smart driving and digital services.

Nvidia expects China H200 chip orders

just now
Reuters
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said China is unlikely to formally approve H200 chip imports, but purchase orders will show if shipments are allowed. As the US reviews export licenses, Nvidia is ramping up H200 production to meet strong Chinese demand and projects USD 500 billion in chip sales by year's end.

TikTok Shop hits USD 100 billion GMV in 2025

just now
Sina
TikTok Shop generated nearly USD 100 billion in GMV in 2025, ranking fifth among global e-commerce platforms behind Amazon, Walmart, Shopee, and eBay. With about 400 million active consumers across 17 markets, the ByteDance-owned platform leads the industry in growth through its “interest-based” model driven by short videos and live streams.

Inx supplies solid-state battery to EHang

just now
Jiemian News
Inx Technology has supplied solid-state lithium metal batteries for EHang’s EH216 eVTOL aircraft, which completed China’s first cross-sea unmanned passenger flight. The battery delivers an energy density of 480 Wh/kg, up to twice that of mainstream aviation batteries.
See All

Icon for Editor’s PicksEditor’s Picks

Features

The world’s supply chains are splitting, but this expert says that may not be a bad thing

As globalization fractures, Hau Leung Lee argues that sustainability and regional resilience should replace efficiency as trade’s guiding principles.

7 mins read
  • News

    Li Auto joins China’s tech giants in the AI glasses race with Livis

    5 mins read

Venture RoundupVenture Roundup

  • News

    Deals in brief: Pyxis hits first close of SGD 18 million round, BBVA leads Olea’s Series A funding, latest China investments, and more

    5 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