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Blackstone has reportedly withdrawn from a consortium bidding for TikTok’s US operations as delays and political uncertainty mount. The group, co-led …

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Blackstone has reportedly withdrawn from a consortium bidding for <a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok’s</a> US operations as delays and political uncertainty mount. The group, co-led by Susquehanna and General Atlantic, had been favored by the Trump administration, but the deal remains stalled amid ongoing US-China tensions.

Shenzhen-based LimX Dynamics has raised an undisclosed amount in a funding round led by <a href="/company/jd">JD.com</a>. It plans to begin public sales of its full-size <a href="/industry/robotics">humanoid robot</a> in the second half of 2025. The two companies will also explore applications in logistics, retail, and services, as LimX scales production and rolls out a new <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> training system based on video data.

<a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance's</a> Douyin has rolled out its own film rating feature, aiming to build a user-driven review system linked to video content. Early adoption has reportedly been limited, with scores visible for only a few titles. The move marks a shift away from film production and ticketing toward shaping how audiences discover and assess movies.

Chinese exports of rare earth magnets to the US surged 660% in June to 353 tons after a trade deal resolved licensing delays. The sharp rebound follows export restrictions imposed in April that had disrupted global <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> and turbine supply chains and forced some automakers to cut output.

Hong Kong-listed WuXi Biologics said five Wuxi-based sites passed a nine-day FDA inspection with no critical findings, including three drug product plants and two drug substance facilities. The company added it has now secured 97 manufacturing licenses from regulators across six regions.

<a href="/company/zeekr">Zeekr</a> denied claims it sold secondhand cars with zero mileage, stating the vehicles in question were unregistered showroom models sold at a discount due to stock age. The company said buyers retain full first-owner rights and has launched an internal review of dealer practices to ensure transparency.

Elon Musk said xAI will launch a children’s version of its chatbot, called Baby Grok, though no further details were disclosed. The announcement comes amid backlash over antisemitic content from Grok and shortly after the release of its latest version, Grok 4.

<a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a> said it has no plans to build its own delivery network, as its food delivery efforts under Suixintuan focus on grou buying deliveries for lifestyle merchants. The company has cut GMV targets and slowed expansion, citing challenges competing with <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a> and <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba’s</a> Ele.me.

China has introduced new policy measures to encourage reinvestment by foreign firms, with seven agencies pledging support across tax, land, and financial services. The plan emphasizes integration, streamlined approvals, and local collaboration, as the country doubles down amid a 10.4% YoY rise in foreign-invested enterprises in the first five months of 2025.

China’s top market watchdog summoned <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba's</a> Ele.me, <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a>, and <a href="/company/jd">JD.com</a> on July 18, urging “rational” competition and compliance with e-commerce, food safety, and anti-unfair competition laws. The move follows a <a href="https://kr-asia.com/meituan-scrambles-on-super-saturday-as-taobao-shangou-tops-80-million-daily-orders">fierce price war</a> and a surge in transactions as platforms fight for market share through subsidies and flash sales.

Perplexity AI is in talks with mobile device makers to pre-install Comet, its new browser, on smartphones. The company aims to grow its user base by tapping into browser stickiness, while stabilizing its desktop beta and targeting tens of millions of users next year.

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

Despite early traction in hardware, the startup is focused on building a full-stack robotics system that unites the “brain” and “body” of machines.

More than a hardware play: Robot Era’s founder sets the record straight on the company’s true ambitions

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Challenges remain, but the NEV maker sees significant upside in expanding its commercial vehicle business beyond China.

As China’s commercial vehicle market slows, Gecko Motors shifts gears abroad for growth

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Blackstone exits TikTok US deal talks

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More than a hardware play: Robot Era’s founder sets the record straight on the company’s true ambitions

As China’s commercial vehicle market slows, Gecko Motors shifts gears abroad for growth

Deals in brief: Augmentus raises Series A+ funding, Coda to acquire Recharge, Origgin Capital debuts second fund, and more