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At a May 17 forum, Sohu CEO Charles Zhang called for clear thinking amid AI advances, warning that easy access to information can obscure truth. Zhang…

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

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Transsion’s localization playbook made it a leader in markets others ignored. Now, competitors are catching on.

Once untouchable in Africa, Transsion now faces a wave of challengers

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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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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.

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Sohu, a Chinese internet company, offers diverse services including news aggregation, online gaming, and video streaming.

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What drives digital storytelling? Examine content creation, distribution channels, and media platforms connecting audiences worldwide.

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How do ideas shape industries? Learn how content, design, and digital artistry influence branding, marketing, and cultural impact.

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How does interactive entertainment evolve? Assess gaming ecosystems, esports growth, and technology enhancing virtual play.

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Gaming kept Sohu’s margins high, but with weak ad returns and slowing mobile user growth, the company risks being left behind.

Sohu’s ad revenue fades as it clings to gaming for stability

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.

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Deals in brief: Granite Asia leads investment in VFlowTech, Alterno and BrioHR raise funding, latest China deals, and more

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

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At a May 17 forum, Sohu CEO Charles Zhang called for clear thinking amid <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> advances, warning that easy access to information can obscure truth. Zhang was speaking alongside fellow panelists who concurred that AI should augment and not replace human cognition, as applications such as <a href="/industry/robotics">humanoid robotics</a> scale across sectors.

China produced 71,547 industrial <a href="/industry/robotics">robots</a> in April 2025, marking a 51.5% YoY icrease. Total output for the first four months reached over 221,000 units, up 34.1% from the same period last year. Companies like UBTech and Unitree are scaling up production of humanoid and quadruped robots to meet automation-driven demand, with China now ranking third globally in robot density, behind South Korea and Singapore.

A final ruling upheld Huya’s liability for the unauthorized use of music on its live streaming platform. Guangzhou’s IP court confirmed the platform used protected songs without permission and affirmed a compensation order of RMB 22,000, underscoring growing concerns over copyright violations in live streaming.

<a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a> has clamped down on the misuse of AI to mass produce misleading or sensational content. Recent enforcement actions included banning 15 major accounts and removing 311 posts that promoted fake personas, content farming tactics, and AI account sales. The platform urged creators to label AI-generated content and warned against account transfers or monetization schemes.

To enhance transparency and address ghost kitchen concerns, <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan Waimai</a> has upgraded its "open kitchen" initiative with an in-app label system that highlights verified brick-and-mortar eateries. Merchants can obtain the label through consumer data analysis or by submitting video footage of their dine-in environment. The initiative includes subsidies for eligible hardware and installation costs.

On May 22, <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> will unveil the electric YU7 SUV, aimed at competing with <a href="/company/tesla">Tesla’s</a> Model Y in China. The company also plans to introduce its XringO1 chip and Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone as part of a broader product push.

Singapore-based CrediLinq has closed an USD 8.5 million Series A round led by OMVC and MS&amp;AD Ventures, with participation from Citi and other new and returning investors. The B2B embedded finance platform will use the funds to expand into the US, UK, and Australia, with planned investments in hiring and technology upgrades.

Malaysia’s MDEC and China’s CICC Capital have signed an MoU to launch a fund targeting gaming and digital content firms expanding into Malaysia. The initiative will focus on PIPE deals and growth-stage ventures, aiming to strengthen cross-border collaboration in the digital sector.

Niu Technologies posted Q1 revenue of RMB 682 million, up 35.1% YoY, driven by a 57.4% surge in e-scooter sales. Net loss narrowed to RMB 38.8 million, though gross margin fell to 17.3%, weighed down by a 14.2% drop in revenue per unit amid lower pricing in China and rising costs overseas.

BeiDou, China’s equivalent of GPS, processed over one trillion location requests per day in 2024, according to the national satellite navigation association. 11 major digital map providers now use BeiDou as it moves toward full lane-level road coverage nationwide.

<a href="/company/sohu">Sohu’s</a> Q1 results highlighted the widening gap between its stable gaming business and a weakening media arm. Online game revenue held at USD 117 million with gross margins of 85%, while marketing services fell 15% YoY to a multi-year low of USD 14 million. Total revenue for the quarter was USD 136 million, down 3% from a year earlier.

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

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

Seauto’s robots are affordable, durable, and built to undercut the industry’s biggest names.

At USD 90 per unit, Seauto is quietly sweeping the pool robot market

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How do clicks replace aisles? Explore global marketplaces, payment solutions, and technology accelerating online retail’s growth.

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The logistics platform joins a crowded field but aims to win on transparency, tech, and adaptable delivery services.

Sohu CEO warns of AI’s double-edged impact

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At USD 90 per unit, Seauto is quietly sweeping the pool robot market

Sohu’s ad revenue fades as it clings to gaming for stability

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