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

Baidu plans to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Singapore and Malaysia as early as this year, seeking local partners for an asset-light model.…

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

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

Deep Tech

China

Splat is an app that turns arguments into entertainment, where AI judges your roasts and fighting is framed as a form of connection.

This 26-year-old built a social app where fighting is not a bug, but a feature

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

Content

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

Creative

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

Entertainment

How do visuals captivate global viewers? Dive into streaming services, production models, and evolving formats defining video engagement.

Video

The home audience is cheering the film’s technical feats and box office success for highlighting self-reliance.

Ne Zha 2: China makes a USD 2 billion blockbuster all of its own

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

Nikkei Asia

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

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

Deals in brief: Salmon raises USD 88 million, InstaPay closes Series A2 round, ten 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

<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a> plans to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Singapore and Malaysia as early as this year, seeking local partners for an asset-light model. The service has logged 11 million rides, reportedly surpassing Waymo, and is also exploring markets including Turkey and Switzerland.

<a href="/company/tesla">Tesla</a> has launched an invite-only robotaxi service in Austin, offering rides in self-driving Model Ys between 6 a.m. and noon (local time) for a flat fee of USD 4.2. The pilot is limited to a fixed area and includes a front-seat safety monitor but no active driver. It marks Tesla’s first rollout of a driverless ride service after years of delays and scrutiny.

<a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> and Foxconn are in talks to deploy <a href="/industry/robotics">humanoid robots</a> at a new plant in Houston, Texas, where Foxconn will produce Nvidia’s GB300 <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> servers, sources said. If finalized, the site would mark the first use of humanoid robots on the production line for either company.

Meta held talks to acquire Perplexity AI before moving ahead with a USD 14.3 billion investment in Scale AI, sources said. The deal fell through, and Meta has since ramped up recruitment for its “superintelligence” team, including efforts to hire Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas and talent from DeepMind, OpenAI, and Safe Superintelligence.

<a href="/company/tesla">Tesla</a> has signed a RMB 4 billion deal with the Shanghai government and China Kangfu International Leasing to build what it says will be China’s largest grid-side battery storage plant. The project will use Megapacks from Tesla’s Shanghai factory and marks the company’s first utility-scale deployment in the country.

<a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok</a> said it was “grateful” for the US extending its divest-or-ban deadline to September 17, allowing continued access to American users. It added that it is still working with US vice president JD Vance’s office on a deal, though analysts warn the process remains fraught with Chinese export rules and regulatory hurdles, potentially resulting in a split platform.

Anker Innovations issued a voluntary recall on June 20 for select batches of seven power bank models due to material defects in battery cells. The company has pulled affected products and cut ties with the supplier, while urging users to stop using impacted units. It plans to establish a long-term safety mechanism.

Edgnex, a unit of Dubai’s Damac Group, will invest USD 2.3 billion in a 144 MW data center in Jakarta, Indonesia, with operations expected to begin later this year. The project is part of Edgnex’s USD 20 billion global AI infrastructure push, including more than USD 3 billion committed to Southeast Asia.

<a href="/company/pop-mart">Pop Mart</a> is expanding its IP tied to "Crybaby," a character by Thai artist Molly Yllom, with new trademark filings across education, beverages, and machinery, with some approvals already granted, according to Aiqicha. The company also registered the script copyright for the first season of a Labubu animated series.

Unitree Robotics, a Chinese maker of quadruped and humanoid robots, has raised new funding from top tech investors including <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba</a> (and its affiliate <a href="/company/ant-group">Ant Group</a>), <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a>, China Mobile, <a href="/company/geely">Geely</a>, and <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance</a>-linked Jinqiu Capital, pushing its valuation past RMB 10 billion. The company is expanding globally and considering a Hong Kong listing.

Sanhua Intelligent Controls, a major Chinese supplier of refrigeration and air conditioning components, dropped 7% in its Hong Kong trading debut on June 23, despite backing from Jane Street Group, GIC, and Schroders. The company raised HKD 9.3 billion in a top-of-range offering and plans to invest in robotics R&amp;D, including bionic actuators, as revenue growth slows.

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

ByteDance, a Chinese internet company, uses machine learning to recommend engaging videos, news, and social content (via TikTok and Douyin).

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

TikTok hosts short-form videos spanning entertainment, education, and branded content, capturing global audiences and driving cultural trends.

TikTok

TikTok Shop, the e-commerce arm of TikTok, enables in-app shopping by connecting users with brands and creators through live commerce and short videos.

TikTok Shop

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

Consumer Economy

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

E-commerce

What happens when viewers join in real time? Explore live streaming platforms, audience interaction tools, and brand opportunities in instant video.

Live Streaming

How do platforms deliver on immediacy? Analyze ride-hailing, instant deliveries, and gig models meeting consumer needs fast.

On-demand Services

Can brief clips hold lasting impact? Analyze short-form content trends, creator communities, and platform strategies for rapid viewer engagement.

Short Video

Some believe a full ban on TikTok in the US is unlikely. TikTok is counting on it.

Too big to ban? TikTok keeps expanding as Trump grants third ban reprieve

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.

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

36Kr English

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ff53490f679f358bf543998d228fb32?s=96&d=blank&r=g

Baidu plans Apollo Go rollout in Southeast Asia

Latest Pulses

Most Recent

Ne Zha 2: China makes a USD 2 billion blockbuster all of its own

Too big to ban? TikTok keeps expanding as Trump grants third ban reprieve

Deals in brief: Salmon raises USD 88 million, InstaPay closes Series A2 round, ten China deals, and more