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MiniMax has upgraded its Expert feature to version 2.0, enabling users to create specialized AI agents through natural language while automating SOP d…

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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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Doubao and Seedance featured across key parts of the broadcast.

ByteDance turns Lunar New Year gala into an AI bonanza

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MiniMax has upgraded its Expert feature to version 2.0, enabling users to create specialized <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> agents through natural language while automating SOP design and tool configuration. The company also launched MaxClaw, a cloud-based OpenClaw assistant with built-in tools, IM integrations, and plans for creator pricing and revenue sharing.

<a href="/company/huawei">Huawei</a> has unveiled the Mate 80 Pro, FreeBuds Pro 5, and GT Runner 2 smartwatch in Madrid ahead of MWC, expanding its Europe push. The smartphone runs on its Kirin 9030 Pro chip. Huawei held 4% of global smartphone shipments in 2025, while smartwatch share reached about 17%, with over 30% YoY growth.

<a href="/company/nio">Nio's</a> chip subsidiary Shenji has raised over RMB 2.2 billion in its inaugural funding round, reaching a post-money valuation near RMB 10 billion. The unit's automotive-grade NX9031 chip has reportedly shipped more than 150,000 units and is installed across Nio vehicles, with next-generation chips in development.

<a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance’s</a> Doubao recorded the strongest user growth over Lunar New Year, ahead of <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent’s</a> Yuanbao, as tech firms spent over RMB 8 billion on "red envelope" incentives. China's top four chatbots now account for more than 70% of the country's market, while platforms reported record interactions and user milestones during the holiday.

<a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a> has applied to register three "Pinhaofang" trademarks across categories including financial property management and lodging, with filings dated February 2 and pending review. The move follows Meituan’s 2024 expansion into rental services and its rider apartment program offering subsidized housing.

Trip.com Group co-founder Min Fan has resigned as director and president, while co-founder Qi Ji has stepped down as director. The company has appointed May Yihong Wu and Iris Yang Xiao as independent directors, refreshing its board as it oversees strategy and future risks.

StepFun is considering a Hong Kong IPO that could raise about USD 500 million, according to people familiar with the matter. The Shanghai-based LLM developer has held talks with prospective advisers and could list as soon as this year. The company recently raised over RMB 5 billion. Listing details remain under deliberation and are subject to change.

<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu’s</a> shares have slid nearly 20% over the past month, erasing about USD 11 billion in market value, as investors await earnings and seek clearer returns from its <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> investments. Analysts expect December-quarter revenue and profit to fall YoY amid advertising weakness, while options traders are pricing in a post-results swing of about 5.7%.

Chinese <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> makers including <a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> and SAIC’s MG have raised prices in Thailand after subsidies of up to THB 150,000 per vehicle were phased out. BYD’s Dolphin now starts at THB 599,900, up 33% from its 2025 low, as automakers adjust pricing in Southeast Asia’s largest EV market following incentive-driven growth.

General Atlantic is selling part of its stake in ByteDance in a deal valuing the TikTok owner at USD 550 billion, according to two unnamed sources. The transaction, expected to close in March, follows private market valuations of USD 500 billion in December and USD 400 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

MiniMax’s M2.5 and Moonshot AI's Kimi K2.5 ranked first and second by token usage on OpenRouter this February, ending a year of US-led dominance on the platform. Developers used 4.55 trillion tokens on M2.5 and 4.02 trillion on Kimi K2.5, with Chinese models accounting for nearly two-thirds of the top five, according to OpenRouter data.

What drives global exploration? Discover evolving tourism trends, hospitality services, and the shift toward personalized travel experiences.

Travel

The company argues the OTA model remains defensible, even as agentic AI could reshape how travelers plan and book trips.

Trip.com margins narrow in Q4 as it steps up global expansion

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T. K. Lin

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Saudi Arabia

Here’s a roundup of key developments across the Middle East for the week of February 8–14.

Middle East weekly: Aito enters the UAE, MGX invests in Anthropic, AED-backed stablecoin secures approval, and more

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Photo of influencers promoting lipstick products during a live stream.

Regulators are tightening oversight as millions of new investors join the AI rally.

China cracks down on influencer marketing amid stock frenzy

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MiniMax rolls out Expert 2.0, MaxClaw

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Trip.com margins narrow in Q4 as it steps up global expansion

Middle East weekly: Aito enters the UAE, MGX invests in Anthropic, AED-backed stablecoin secures approval, and more

China cracks down on influencer marketing amid stock frenzy