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BYD plans to launch a low-cost electric kei car in Japan by 2026, targeting the USD 18 billion minicar segment that accounts for roughly 40% of local …

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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

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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Backed by science and athlete feedback, the brand’s new line aims to end the tradeoff between support and comfort.

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Deals in brief: Shiok Burger and 3cat raise funding, Timah Partners gets USD 50 million to tackle SME succession, latest China deals 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.

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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/byd">BYD</a> plans to launch a low-cost electric kei car in Japan by 2026, targeting the USD 18 billion minicar segment that accounts for roughly 40% of local automotive sales. The <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> will be tailored to Japan’s unique minicar specs and tax incentives, marking one of BYD’s first models designed specifically for export.

Seoul has asked <a href="/company/temu">Temu</a> and AliExpress to suspend sales of 11 children’s products that breached safety limits, including umbrellas and rain gear with toxic chemical levels hundreds of times above legal thresholds. Though non-binding, the request follows growing scrutiny of product safety on global <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> platforms.

China’s industrial profits fell 9.1% YoY in May, the steepest monthly drop since October 2023, amid weak demand and lower prices. Cumulative profits for major firms declined 1.1% YoY in January-May, with mining down 29%. Analysts expect limited new stimulus, as GDP growth continues to exceed Beijing’s 5% target.

The US and China have reached a framework deal to restart rare earth shipments, a White House official confirmed. The move follows export curbs imposed by China during the trade conflict, which disrupted supply chains in key sectors including defense and semiconductors. The accord stems from earlier Geneva talks and aims to ease ongoing tensions.

<a href="/company/pony-ai">Pony.ai</a> is in early talks to sell its US subsidiary to Travis Kalanick, who may lead the unit while remaining at CloudKitchens if a deal is reached. Uber is reportedly considering funding support. The Delaware-based entity currently has no revenue but holds testing permits and an R&amp;D presence.

Meta is in advanced talks to acquire PlayAI, a startup specializing in AI-driven voice replication, to enhance its assistant and hardware offerings. The deal would add talent and technology to Meta’s “superintelligence” push, as it races rivals like Google and <a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a> in the <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> arms race.

ASML has launched a lithography-themed science contest in China to identify local engineering talent, offering job interviews to top scorers. The initiative reinforces the Dutch chipmaker’s ties to the market, even as export controls tighten. China was ASML’s largest market in 2024, contributing 36.1% of total sales.

Hong Kong has released an updated digital asset policy under the LEAP framework, outlining legal reforms, stablecoin support, and plans to regularly issue tokenized versions of government bonds. The move aims to better integrate digital finance with the real economy and reinforce the city’s innovation role ahead of new legislation taking effect in August.

<a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba</a> cut nine members from its partnership in fiscal 2025, shrinking the group to 17 amid a broader leadership reshuffle. Founders Peng Lei and Dai Shan were among those who retired. The remaining partners now consist mainly of core business heads and tech leads, signaling a shift toward operational focus.

<a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng Motors</a> has launched its X9 MPV in Indonesia at a starting price of IDR 990 million, with local production slated to begin in July. The plant marks Xpeng’s first overseas manufacturing base as it targets Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market.

Anjoy Foods, China’s leading frozen hotpot supplier, plans to raise up to HKD 2.64 billion in a Hong Kong listing on July 4. The proceeds will fund expansion in Southeast Asia and Europe, where demand for Chinese cuisine is growing. The company reportedly holds a 6.2% share of the mainland market and reported RMB 15.1 billion in revenue last year.

Where do digital assets find value? Consider market volatility, decentralized exchanges, and blockchain protocols shaping crypto economies.

Cryptocurrencies

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

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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Alec Goh

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

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

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Blending tech innovation and branding savvy, Xiaomi’s second EV taps into narrative economics to notch early success.

Xiaomi’s YU7 stirs emotion and demand with over 200,000 orders in minutes

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A wave of IPOs and major deals signals a turning point for robotics in China and beyond.

China Recap | Robotics players shift into next gear

Vicky is a senior reporter based in Hangzhou, covering news about Chinese companies expanding their footprints abroad.

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BYD targets Japan’s kei car market

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

Xiaomi’s YU7 stirs emotion and demand with over 200,000 orders in minutes

China Recap | Robotics players shift into next gear