Alibaba

Baidu

ByteDance

Meituan

Pinduoduo

Tencent

Most Followed

KrASIA Connection

China's Auto Sector

Earnings Reports

Inside China's Startups

Venture Roundup

Our Events

View All

Collections

News

Features

Insights

Ecosystem

DeepSeek

Kuaishou

Li Auto

Xiaohongshu

Xiaomi

Xpeng

On the Radar

Tools for Humanity, co-founded by OpenAI chief Sam Altman, is deploying iris-scanning “Orb” devices in six UK cities as part of its World ID expansion…

Events

Latest

About

36Kr (EN)

Consumer

Robotics

Fintech

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

Artificial Intelligence

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

Creative

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

Deep Tech

What entertains a connected world? Track shifts in film, music, and media consumption, as platforms and audiences redefine cultural experiences.

Entertainment

China

FateTell blends Chinese metaphysics with AI, transforming ancient insights into a scalable digital business.

Think AI can’t tell your fortune? This startup tapping Eastern metaphysics says otherwise

Decoding China&#039;s tech and business pulse

KrASIA

AI Now! is a global AI community of Chinese developers, professionals, and founders.

AI Now!

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

Consumer Economy

How do stores adapt to digital shifts? Explore e-commerce integration, inventory analytics, and omnichannel strategies for modern shoppers.

Retail

Prada, Wynn, and others are betting on lifestyle experiences to offset slowing retail, but the real shift may be cultural.

As China’s luxury market cools, brands turn to food and wine to stir demand

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.

36Kr English

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

India

Oceania

Singapore

Southeast Asia

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

Deals in brief: RadNet acquires See-Mode, Syfe raises additional Series C funding, 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.

Sudo Lim

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

Header Section | KrASIA

Home

Sections

Header Section

Tools for Humanity, co-founded by <a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a> chief Sam Altman, is deploying iris-scanning “Orb” devices in six UK cities as part of its World ID expansion. The startup says no biometric data is stored, despite ongoing privacy probes in other countries. Users reportedly receive crypto rewards, with wider retail rollout planned.

Chongqing’s coffee association has called for an end to industry price wars, citing mounting losses among local indie cafes as chain brands pursue rapid growth through heavy platform subsidies. A June 5 joint letter warns of job cuts and collapsing margins, and urges redirecting funds toward digital upgrades and product R&amp;D for small businesses.

Chinese and US officials plans to meet on June 9 in London for trade talks focused on export controls rather than tariffs. The US is expected to push for greater access to critical minerals, while China may seek relief from curbs on advanced technologies such as AI chips, amid efforts to recalibrate bilateral ties.

Lenskart has converted to a public limited company as of May 30, paving the way for its planned IPO at a USD 10 billion valuation. The eyewear firm is expanding across the UAE, Singapore, and the US, and <a href="https://kr-asia.com/deals-in-brief-efishery-secures-green-and-social-loan-from-hsbc-alibaba-invests-in-ai-edtech-startup-lenskart-scores-usd-200-million-and-more">raised USD 200 million in secondary funding</a> from Temasek and Fidelity in 2024.

<a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance</a> has overhauled TikTok Shop’s US team near Seattle, replacing local staff with China-based managers after missing a USD 17.5 billion sales target. Internal meetings now reportedly favor Mandarin Chinese, as the firm navigates <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> struggles and a looming US divestiture deadline.

Anysphere, maker of the <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> coding assistant Cursor, has raised USD 900 million at a USD 9.9 billion valuation. Thrive Capital led the round, joined by a16z, Accel, DST Global, and others. The company reported USD 500 million in annualized revenue and plans to use the funds to expand R&amp;D, hire more staff, and boost enterprise adoption.

Danyang, China’s top eyewear manufacturing hub, is countering US tariffs with tech innovation and export shifts to RCEP markets. The city, which reportedly produces half the world’s optical lenses, logged RMB 2.5 billion in H1 2025 trade and is expanding into smart glasses and lithography-based lenses to sustain global demand.

SMIC has sold its 14.83% stake in Ningbo Semiconductor International (NSI) to Goke Microelectronics, which aims to raise its shareholding to 94.37%. The move supports SMIC’s core business focus and reflects continued consolidation in China’s semiconductor sector. NSI reported a RMB 813 million loss in 2024.

Elon Musk’s <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> startup xAI lost USD 341 million on USD 52 million in Q1 2025 revenue but projects USD 13.1 billion in EBITDA by 2029, according to investor materials. The firm plans USD 18 billion in data center investments and is seeking USD 5 billion in debt financing, now clouded by political fallout from Musk’s public feud with US President Donald Trump.

<a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok</a> has blocked search results for #SkinnyTok after pressure from European regulators, citing links to harmful weight loss content. The move follows an EU investigation launched in April amid broader scrutiny over the app’s impact on youth body image. Critics warn users may still bypass filters using coded language and misspellings.

Climate tech startup Bygen has raised AUD 3.5 million in a round led by Breakthrough Victoria, with backing from Investible’s Climate Tech Fund, FMG Circular Invest, Alberts, and the University of Adelaide. The funds will support global expansion of its low-emission activated carbon production, with new plants targeting 2,000 tons annually for purification and decarbonization.

BYD, a Chinese EV maker, produces electric cars, buses, and batteries, accelerating adoption of sustainable transportation worldwide.

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

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

Discounts of up to 34% add to pressure that could squeeze out weaker players.

BYD price bombshell raises specter of wider China EV consolidation

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

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aec5e55596415464d13490d0e0caa9a2?s=96&d=blank&r=g

Nikkei Asia

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

The startup is building bots that prioritize emotional presence over technical perfection, hoping that’s what wins over families.

Joyin races to rewire homes with emotionally aware robots

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6b9ace74da9df391d5f7ba1892f4393?s=96&d=blank&r=g

How do we store tomorrow’s power? Evaluate battery R&amp;D, manufacturing progress, and recycling strategies fueling energy independence.

Batteries

How is power evolving? Review renewable sources, grid innovations, and efficiency measures driving cleaner, more resilient energy systems.

Energy

The Chinese firm hopes its “cold core” architecture will reshape expectations for the 4680 form factor.

UK rollout begins for Sam Altman’s World ID

Latest Pulses

Most Recent

BYD price bombshell raises specter of wider China EV consolidation

Joyin races to rewire homes with emotionally aware robots

Can cylindrical EV batteries make a comeback? Talent New Energy thinks so