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Alibaba, China’s e-commerce giant, operates online retail marketplaces, cloud computing services, and digital payment networks across Asia and beyond.

China’s tech ecosystem serves as a driving force behind the world’s second largest economy, influencing global digital markets.

China

Explore East Asia’s thriving tech hubs, global electronics producers, and fast-evolving digital platforms shaping cross-border innovation.

East Asia

Ele.me, a Chinese online food delivery platform, partners with local restaurants to provide fast, convenient dining options to urban consumers.

Ele.me

JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce leader, ensures trusted transactions, efficient logistics, and a wide product selection for online shoppers.

JD.com

Meituan, China’s all-in-one local services platform, covers food delivery, travel bookings, and lifestyle deals, simplifying daily consumer choices.

What sets the bar for convenience? Examine on-demand platforms, subscription models, and personalization transforming consumer expectations.

Consumer Economy

How does dinner arrive at your door? Study platform partnerships, last-mile delivery, and culinary trends powering the takeaway economy.

Food Delivery

How do platforms deliver on immediacy? Analyze ride-hailing, instant deliveries, and gig models meeting consumer needs fast.

On-demand Services

Platforms are setting user and order records while investment banks issue warnings.

China's food delivery wars taking a bite out of Alibaba's, others' profits

Decoding China&#039;s tech and business pulse

KrASIA

As part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with Nikkei, you can read selected content from Nikkei Asia on KrASIA.

Nikkei Asia

What guides machine-led insights? Uncover AI applications, language models, and decision-making systems transforming sectors worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence

What lies beyond familiar frontiers? Investigate emerging tech—like quantum computing and AI—transforming traditional sectors.

Deep Tech

Singapore

Southeast Asia

With chip access in flux and scrutiny mounting, Manus has left China for Singapore, betting that neutrality offers a safer path forward.

Has China become too risky a home for AI startups? Manus thinks so

T. K. Lin

Photo of Augmentus’ co-founders. From left to right: Daryl Lim, Leong Yong Shin, and Chong Voon Foo.

How do markets shape wealth creation? Study portfolio diversification, asset classes, and strategies balancing growth and risk.

Investment

When do companies invite public investment? Understand listing criteria, underwriter roles, and regulatory steps defining initial offerings.

Why do firms join forces? Investigate synergy goals, valuation methods, and negotiations driving corporate consolidation.

Merger &amp; Acquisition

What happens after acquisitions close? Examine deal structures, operational improvements, and exit strategies molding corporate outcomes.

Private Equity

What fuels startup ecosystems? Review funding rounds, investor strategies, and market insights guiding entrepreneurial growth.

Venture Capital

Australia

Europe

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Oceania

Bringing you the latest updates on funding deals and activities in the Asia Pacific.

Deals in brief: Augmentus raises Series A+ funding, Coda to acquire Recharge, Origgin Capital debuts second fund, and more

An alias used when humans and machines team up in our newsroom. Articles under this byline may be shaped with the help of AI, but are always vetted by a human before publication.

Sudo Lim

KrASIA tracks China’s tech and business stories—alongside key developments across the broader Asia Pacific region.

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Muji has opened new stores in cities including Beijing, Chengdu, and Shenzhen as part of a broader retail push in China, where sales have reportedly grown for ten consecutive months. The brand now operates about 414 stores and is focusing on skincare, home goods, and larger flagship formats to regain market share.

SenseTime said on July 23 it plans to raise about HKD 2.5 billion by issuing 1.666 billion shares at HKD 1.5 each, representing a 6.25% discount to its latest closing price. The private placement remains subject to final conditions and approvals.

US President Donald Trump said he considered breaking up <a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> to foster <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> chip competition but dropped the idea after learning of the company's entrenched lead. The comment came during a July 23 AI summit, where Trump launched an action plan aimed at easing AI regulatory barriers and supporting US industry growth.

AMD CEO Lisa Su said chips made by TSMC in Arizona will cost 5–20% more than those from Taiwan, but the higher expense could help improve supply chain resiliency. She welcomed US efforts to bolster <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> infrastructure and called for a balanced approach to chip export controls amid rising global demand.

China’s science ministry issued ethical guidelines for autonomous driving on July 23, requiring developers to prioritize safety, restrict data collection to driving functions, and document relevant algorithms. The rules clarify liability based on system capability and prohibit false research claims.

Nintendo sold 1.6 million units of the Switch 2 in the US in June, setting a new hardware launch record and driving game hardware spending to USD 978 million, up 249% YoY, according to Circana. <em>Mario Kart World</em> led software sales, while the Pro Controller topped the accessory category with a 32% attach rate.

<a href="/company/pop-mart">Pop Mart</a> has filed a lawsuit against 7-Eleven in the US, accusing the retailer of selling counterfeit Labubu toys under the name “Lafufu.” The alleged knockoffs, priced similarly to official products, drew online criticism for their poor quality. Pop Mart confirmed the legal action on July 23.

Chinese tea brand Xianji opened its first flagship store in Hangzhou on July 18, transforming a restored heritage building into an immersive, matcha-focused space. The cafe combines live preparation, retail, and seating areas to showcase the brand’s artisanal identity and differentiate it in a crowded tea market.

<a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba's</a> Taobao has seen a 60% YoY increase in new users in Thailand following the launch of a localized app featuring <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a>-powered translation and local currency payment support. The move is part of a broader push into Southeast Asia as Alibaba seeks growth beyond its slowing domestic market.

Respiree, a Singapore-founded health tech firm, has raised USD 11.6 million in a Series A funding round co-led by We Venture Capital and ClavystBio, with participation from Adaptive Capital Partners, Mayo Clinic’s Mayo Foundation for Medical Research, and existing investors including Greenwillow Capital Management, Seeds Capital, and She1K.

How does finance become frictionless? Examine digital banking, payment innovation, and lending platforms redefining financial access.

How does credit flow online? Explore digital lending tools, alternative scoring, and services accelerating capital access.

Lending

Cambodia

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Myanmar

Philippines

South Korea

Thailand

Vietnam

Cheaper funding and geopolitical tensions are boosting growth in yuan-denominated loans.

Chinese banks trim dollar lending to developing Asia

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Apple designs iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, coupling sleek hardware with robust software ecosystems and service offerings.

Apple

The US market serves as both the backbone and the driving force behind global technological advancements.

Pang Ruoming built Apple’s foundational AI models, but secrecy and internal gridlock kept his team in the shadows—until he walked.

Trapped by silence: How Apple lost its top AI talent to Meta

36Kr is China's most influential business and technology network, delivering high-quality content focused on China’s innovation and new economy trends since 2010. With its extensive traffic and network, 36Kr has built a comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities to provide insights into China’s technology landscape.

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36Kr English

Built to predict the next best word, AI has become adept at reflecting human empathy. For many, that reflection is enough to offer comfort.

Pulses

Most Recent

Chinese banks trim dollar lending to developing Asia

Trapped by silence: How Apple lost its top AI talent to Meta

“This must be painful for you”: How AI became our emotional mirror