A new China-Europe freight train service for e-commerce departed Shenzhen on April 27, linking the G...

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A new China-Europe freight train service for e-commerce departed Shenzhen on April 27, linking the Greater Bay Area to Budapest in 15 days. The new route offers a cost-effective alternative to air and sea freight, aiming to boost cross-border trade with faster delivery options.

<a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a> will convert its for-profit arm into a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/what-is-a-public-benefit-corporation">public benefit corporation</a> (PBC), while remaining under nonprofit control. The shift follows discussions with state regulators and is aimed at better support its mission of "ensuring AGI benefits all of humanity." The nonprofit will retain oversight and become a major shareholder in the new entity.

Ecovacs and Roborock posted record 2024 revenues of RMB 16.54 billion and RMB 11.95 billion, respectively, but rising costs eroded profits. Both firms are expanding overseas through new categories and offline channels, yet face pressure from saturated markets, high logistics costs, and trade-related risks.

<a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a> has agreed to acquire Windsurf, an AI coding startup formerly known as Codeium, in a deal valued at about USD 3 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal has not yet closed and would be OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date amid rising competition in AI-powered coding tools.

CATL has passed its listing hearing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2024, it held 37.9% of the global EV battery market and 36.5% of the storage battery market, with major clients including BMW, Tesla, Nio, and energy firms such as NextEra and China Huaneng Group. It operates 13 factories worldwide, including two in Europe.

WeRide and Uber will extend their robotaxi partnership to 15 new cities over the next five years, following deployments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The expansion targets markets beyond China and the US, with Uber handling operations and riders booking through its app.

<a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> has opened an automotive R&amp;D center in Munich, with a compact team focused on high-performance EVs like the Nurburgring edition of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. While no formal sales network exists in Europe, a new task force is studying market entry in Germany, France, and Spain—marking early steps toward an international EV push.

Singapore-headquartered Neufast has raised USD 1.1 million in pre-Series A funding led by Wavemaker Ventures, with participation from Wings Capital Ventures. Designed for sectors like insurance and public service, its AI-powered platform automates multilingual interviews and skills development, with reported clients in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and beyond.

Chinese clothing factories report falling orders and shrinking margins as new US tariffs and taxes disrupt low-cost exports via Amazon, Shein, and Temu. Factory owners in Guangzhou are said to be cutting production or relocating, while weak domestic demand limits options for recovery amid broader economic uncertainty.

Alipay and partner apps recorded strong growth in cross-border payments during China’s 2025 Labor Day holiday. Outbound spending rose in destinations like Japan and Thailand, while inbound spending in China more than doubled, supported by visa-free entry, updated tax refund rules, and expanded e-wallet acceptance.

Cathay Pacific began direct flights between Urumqi and Hong Kong on April 28, operating four weekly Airbus A330-300 services. The new route connects Xinjiang to nearly 100 global destinations and supports Cathay’s cargo and tourism ambitions, positioning Urumqi as a Belt and Road gateway and Hong Kong as a transit hub for East, Southeast, and Central Asia.

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

Deep Tech

How does automation advance industry? Analyze robotic arms, drones, and AI-driven tools reshaping manufacturing and services.

Robotics

China

The global vacuum market is maturing, and China’s top brands are now betting on new categories.

Record sales, shrinking profits: China’s robot vacuum leaders face their next test

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Decoding China&#039;s tech and business pulse

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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

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

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

East Asia

Xiaomi crafts affordable smartphones, wearables, and IoT devices, appealing to users who seek innovation, quality, and budget-friendly tech.

Xiaomi

What powers tomorrow’s roads? Explore EV adoption, charging infrastructure, and battery advances sparking the shift toward sustainable transport.

Electric Vehicles

How is the way we move evolving? Explore developments in autonomous transportation, electric vehicles, and more efficient urban transit.

Mobility

How do goods and people flow worldwide? Examine transport networks, logistics innovations, and policies shaping global connectivity.

Transportation

Europe

Xiaomi says there’s no formal sales network in place, but the new facility appears to be part of a long-term Europe strategy.

Is Xiaomi’s new EV base in Germany a prelude to its European rollout?

Middle East

At a recent event in Shanghai, officials and experts discussed how Dubai’s policies, infrastructure, and networks are turning it into a global launchpad for Chinese companies.

Chinese firms weigh Dubai as a base for global growth

CHENG Zi is based in China, covering technology and business-related events. She works with her colleagues at 36Kr Global to provide coverage in both English and Chinese.

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China-Europe e-commerce rail launches from GBA

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