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Baidu’s Apollo unit and Car Inc will roll out autonomous car rentals starting in Q2 2025, beginning in cultural tourism zones. The service will iterat…

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IPO filings, shutdowns, and a deepening price war signal the start of a high-stakes consolidation phase in outdoor robotics.

Boom, bust, and breakout: China’s lawn robot race hits a tipping point

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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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Koitake, the IP-driven toy unit under Alibaba’s Hujing business, has been phased out as the tech giant shifts its attention to higher-margin verticals.

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

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<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu’s</a> Apollo unit and Car Inc will roll out autonomous car rentals starting in Q2 2025, beginning in cultural tourism zones. The service will iterate based on user feedback and expand over the next 3–5 years as part of a broader smart mobility push.

US President Donald Trump said a buyer has been identified for <a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok’s</a> US operations but did not share details, citing a two-week wait and possible need for Chinese approval. The sale, mandated under a US law citing national security concerns, has faced delays amid broader trade tensions. A previous deal involving Oracle and Blackstone reportedly stalled earlier this year.

<a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> has hired Chinese <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> researchers Zhu Banghua and Jiao Jiantao, co-founders of Nexusflow AI, to work on post-training, evaluation, and agentic systems. The move highlights rising demand for Chinese talent in US AI labs, as firms like Google and Meta also step up recruitment of Chinese researchers in advanced AI fields.

<a href="/company/shein">Shein</a> plans to submit a draft prospectus confidentially for a Hong Kong IPO, according to sources, marking a rare waiver of the city’s disclosure rules. If approved, it would be the fast fashion firm’s third attempt to go public after stalled bids in the US and UK due to regulatory setbacks.

Germany’s data protection office has alleged that <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a> illegally transfers user data to China and has asked Apple and Google to review the app’s status in their stores. The move could lead to a broader EU ban if other regulators follow suit. DeepSeek, which launched a low-cost <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> model earlier this year, is facing growing scrutiny over its data handling in Europe.

Anker Innovations has signed a deal with ATL to source 45 million lithium-ion batteries after recalling over one million power banks linked to overheating risks. The move marks a supply chain shift aimed at restoring product safety and consumer trust. ATL, a major supplier to Apple and Samsung, replaces a former vendor that Anker has since cut ties with following the recall.

China’s Big Fund III is shifting its focus to key <a href="/industry/semiconductors">semiconductor</a> chokepoints, including lithography and chip design software, in response to tightening US export controls. Backed by the Ministry of Finance and state-owned banks, the RMB 344 billion fund will prioritize longer-term investments after earlier rounds delivered limited breakthroughs. Initial deals are expected in the coming months.

China Medical System (CMS) has filed for a secondary listing on the SGX via introduction, with no new share issuance planned. Pending exchange approval, the move aims to attract Southeast Asian capital and support the group’s regional expansion. CMS has secured regulatory clearance from the CSRC and runs its Southeast Asia and Middle East operations from Singapore.

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Singapore will begin deploying autonomous vehicles in public housing estates by the end of 2025, starting with Punggol and expanding to Tengah. Acting transport minister Jeffrey Siow announced the move during a visit to WeRide’s Guangzhou headquarters, part of a partnership to integrate driverless vehicles into the national transport network and address labor shortages with self-driving solutions.

Indonesia has broken ground on a USD 5.9 billion EV battery project backed by <a href="/company/catl">CATL</a>, Huayou Cobalt, and state-owned Antam. Spanning Halmahera and West Java, the project focuses on nickel processing and battery cell production. NGOs including Greenpeace and CRI have warned of environmental risks near the Weda Bay industrial site.

<p data-start="527" data-end="871"><a href="/company/tiktok-shop">TikTok Shop</a> has launched in Japan, enabling in-app purchases through videos, live streams, and brand profiles. The service supports discovery-driven <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> with features like product tags, affiliate programs, and a dedicated shop tab. Early adopters include Kate, Unilever, and Nissin as TikTok expands its local retail presence.</p>

Li Auto develops electric vehicles that combine smart cockpit systems, advanced safety features, and long-distance battery support.

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

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President Ma Donghui takes control of product, supply, and sales as the company prepares new EV releases.

Li Auto unites R&D and sales to counter Xiaomi’s YU7 momentum

Li Auto unites R&#038;D and sales to counter Xiaomi’s YU7 momentum

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Xpeng Motors builds intelligent EVs equipped with advanced infotainment systems, autonomous features, and sleek electric mobility designs.

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With fresh funding in hand, Omoway aims to bring automotive-grade technology to everyday two-wheelers.

Former Xpeng execs launch Omo X smart e-motorbike in Indonesia

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Once considered fringe instruments, stablecoins now serve as a bridge between legacy financial systems and decentralized infrastructure.

Reimagining financial infrastructure: How stablecoins are quietly reshaping global value flows

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Baidu's Apollo, Car Inc to deploy driverless cars for rent

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