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China ended 2024 with over 600 million registered generative AI users and 302 approved services, according to the country’s national internet regulato…

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China ended 2024 with over 600 million registered <a href="/industry/ai">generative AI</a> users and 302 approved services, according to the country’s national internet regulator. ModelScope, now reportedly China’s largest AI model hub, hosts 70,000 models and supports 16 million developers. The country’s core AI industry neared RMB 600 billion in value.

<a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> has released MiDashengLM-7B, an open-source voice model built on <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba’s</a> Qwen2.5-Omni-7B, to power <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> in its <a href="/industry/ev">EVs</a> and smart home devices. The launch supports Xiaomi’s diversification beyond smartphones and reflects China’s broader push for open-source AI development.

Heytea has opened its 35th US store near Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, marking a milestone in its overseas expansion to 115 locations across eight countries. As one of China’s fastest-growing tea brands abroad, Heytea pairs local teams with bold design and premium pricing to win over high-end markets.

<a href="/company/tiktok-shop">TikTok Shop</a> generated USD 3.36 million in GMV in Japan in its first full month after launching on June 30, with daily sales in July averaging over USD 100,000 and peaking at USD 290,000. Digital accessories topped category rankings, while seller performance varied based on localization and product differentiation.

Revenue Scaler has acquired Kabana, a regional <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> analytics firm integrated with over 400 stores across platforms including <a href="/company/shopee">Shopee</a> and <a href="/company/tiktok-shop">TikTok Shop</a>. The deal enhances Revenue Scaler’s internal intelligence capabilities as it develops a unified, <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a>-driven e-commerce intelligence layer for Southeast Asia.

China has approved 183 Brazilian coffee companies to export to its market starting July 30, the Chinese embassy in Brazil said. The move offers an outlet as the US imposes 50% tariffs on Brazilian products from August 6, threatening a USD 4.4 billion trade and forcing exporters to seek alternatives.

<a href="/company/leapmotor">Leapmotor</a> and <a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng</a> set new records in July, delivering 50,129 and 36,717 <a href="/industry/ev">EVs</a> respectively, as China’s price war showed signs of easing and demand shifted toward budget-friendly smart models. <a href="/company/xpeng">Xiaomi</a> also exceeded 30,000 units, with its <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xiaomis-new-yu7-can-it-stand-up-to-teslas-model-y">new YU7 SUV</a> drawing 240,000 preorders in two days.

Toyota is sourcing more Chinese-made parts in Thailand to reduce costs for a new electrified car model set to launch in 2028. The company facilitated a joint venture between Thailand’s Summit Group and China’s Yuefei New Materials to produce components locally, marking the first known case of a major Japanese automaker bringing a Chinese supplier into Southeast Asia.

Agibot expects to ship several thousand <a href="/industry/robotics">robots</a> in 2025 as it enters a phase of focused commercial delivery. The company said it recently secured a RMB 78 million order from China Mobile and has begun expanding overseas. At WAIC 2025, Agibot partnered with Damon to showcase a data-driven logistics robot ostensibly capable of six-second item sorting.

<a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba's</a> Amap has launched what it says is the world’s first <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a>-native map app, powered by spatial intelligence. The update introduces “Teacher Gao,” an AI agent that provides end-to-end travel support through spatial reasoning and autonomous decision-making.

Agibot has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from LG Electronics and Mirae Asset Financial Group, marking LG’s first global investment in embodied AI. The deal follows a July investment from CP Robotics to support Agibot’s expansion into life sciences, retail, and elder care applications.

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

More countries, more buyers, and more cross-border deals marked this year’s conference, with Chinese companies making tech exports a top priority.

China’s AI firms look outward as WAIC 2025 takes on global flavor

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

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Vicky Chang

Chinese AI firms rolled out a slate of new releases at this year’s WAIC, signaling no slowdown in development.

China Recap | AI ambitions scale new heights

What shapes modern healthcare and agriculture? Examine biotech startups, gene editing, and drug discovery unlocking biological potential.

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As patent cliffs approach and new mechanisms gain ground, COPD drugs like HRS-9821 are fast becoming coveted assets.

After Hengrui’s USD 500 million deal with GSK, which biotech firms are next in line?

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China sees surge in generative AI uptake

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China’s AI firms look outward as WAIC 2025 takes on global flavor

China Recap | AI ambitions scale new heights

After Hengrui’s USD 500 million deal with GSK, which biotech firms are next in line?