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Tencent has begun an internal beta of WorkBuddy, an agentic desktop tool developed by Tencent Cloud’s CodeBuddy team. Designed for non-technical users…

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

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Luckin Coffee provides app-based ordering, convenient pickup, and a broad beverage menu, reshaping China’s coffee consumption patterns.

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Nestle will retain part of the business while allowing Luckin to leverage Blue Bottle's brand.

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Cheng Zi is based in China, covering technology- and business-related events. She works with her colleagues at 36Kr Global to provide coverage in both English and Chinese.

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Smaller suppliers aim to lift rates for the first time in years amid a supply crunch.

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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/tencent">Tencent</a> has begun an internal beta of WorkBuddy, an agentic desktop tool developed by Tencent Cloud’s CodeBuddy team. Designed for non-technical users, WorkBuddy executes tasks through authorized local files rather than full system access.

India has eased investment restrictions on countries sharing a land border, including China, allowing up to 10% beneficial ownership under the automatic route and setting a 60-day approval timeline for sectors such as electronics and polysilicon. The rules replace tighter 2020 curbs introduced after border tensions.

Everwin Precision said it is planning an H-share issuance and main board listing in Hong Kong to support its international expansion and capital operations. Specific terms have not been finalized. The proposal will not change the company’s controlling shareholder and remains subject to board, shareholder, and regulatory approvals.

More than half a dozen Chinese electric truck makers, including BYD, Geely’s Farizon Auto, and Sany, reportedly plan to launch European sales in 2026. They aim to price vehicles up to 30% below the EUR 320,000 regional average, challenging established manufacturers as electric trucks made up 4.2% of EU sales in 2025.

Kose has launched the Sekkisei Blue series in China, introducing six plant-based skincare products, including three facial oils priced between RMB 400–470. The debut marks an expansion beyond the Sekkisei brand’s traditional whitening range toward botanical, oil-focused formulations.

<a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a> said QClaw, an <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> assistant built on the open-source OpenClaw framework, has entered beta testing. The Windows and Mac tool supports more than 5,000 skills and enables users to remotely operate their computers via WeChat commands, executing tasks and returning results automatically.

<a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a> is considering investing as a passive backer in Paramount Skydance’s USD 110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, according to people familiar with the matter. The company previously withdrew a USD 1 billion equity commitment amid US regulatory concerns and could still decide not to proceed.

Canada will allow <a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok</a> to continue operating and proceed with its investment after a national security review, industry minister Melanie Joly said. The approval replaces a November 2024 dissolution order and requires binding commitments on data protection, minors’ safeguards, and ongoing audits by an independent third-party monitor.

<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu’s</a> Apollo Go has resumed fully driverless testing and services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The restart follows its January approval for fully driverless testing in Dubai and the launch of public driverless services in Abu Dhabi.

<a href="/company/geely">Geely</a> said its overseas sales topped 60,000 units for two consecutive months, climbing 134.7% YoY to a record high. The group now operates in nearly 100 countries and regions, with Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Central Asia leading growth as it advances its global expansion strategy.

<p data-start="818" data-end="1029">Dingdong Maicai said founder Liang Changlin has stepped down as CEO, with former CFO Wang Song assuming the role while giving up his finance duties. Liang remains chairman, and CTO Jiang Xu will leave at the end of March. The leadership overhaul comes one month after <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a> completed its <a href="https://kr-asia.com/meituan-beats-jd-com-to-acquire-dingdong-maicais-china-business">USD 717 million acquisition of the company’s China business</a>.</p>

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

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Traffic acquisition and revenue-sharing fees are weighing on profitability as the company scales Bigo Ads.

Joyy revenue rises in Q4, but margins hit by advertising growth costs

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T. K. Lin

Photo of a Nio showroom in Shanghai, China, circa 2021.

Nio, a Chinese electric car maker, specializes in high-performance EVs, battery-swapping solutions, and autonomous driving technologies.

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.

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How do goods and people flow worldwide? Examine transport networks, logistics innovations, and policies shaping global connectivity.

Transportation

Record deliveries and a richer product mix pushed the automaker into profit, but the turnaround remains incomplete.

Nio hits first operating profit in Q4 as turnaround begins to show

Grab, a Southeast Asian superapp, provides ride-hailing, food delivery, and mobile payments, connecting millions to on-demand services.

Grab

Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem is a melting pot of startups and businesses of all sizes, all vying for rapid growth.

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

Fintech

How does credit flow online? Explore digital lending tools, alternative scoring, and services accelerating capital access.

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Philippines

Repayments are charged daily, making effective rates much higher than advertised.

Grab charges Philippine bike riders over 230% interest for in-app loans

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Tencent tests WorkBuddy desktop agent

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Joyy revenue rises in Q4, but margins hit by advertising growth costs

Nio hits first operating profit in Q4 as turnaround begins to show

Grab charges Philippine bike riders over 230% interest for in-app loans