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Alibaba has recruited Google DeepMind scientist Zhou Hao to lead post-training research for its Qwen AI models, replacing Yu Bowen, sources said. The …

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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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Alibaba, China’s e-commerce giant, operates online retail marketplaces, cloud computing services, and digital payment networks across Asia and beyond.

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The tech giant is rolling out a range of AI hardware devices to extend Qwen beyond the smartphone.

Alibaba aims to take Qwen from app to wearable interface

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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/alibaba">Alibaba</a> has recruited Google DeepMind scientist Zhou Hao to lead post-training research for its Qwen <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> models, replacing Yu Bowen, sources said. The hire follows the departure of Qwen technical lead Lin Junyang and comes as Alibaba consolidates its AI units and commits RMB 380 billion over three years to AI and cloud infrastructure.

Honda will start selling a China-made <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> in Japan as early as this spring, becoming the first Japanese automaker to bring a China-built electric model to its home market. The SUV-style e:N vehicle will be adapted for Japanese standards and sold under the Insight brand, offering about 500 kilometers of range per charge.

<a href="/company/iflytek">iFlytek</a> unveiled its first AI glasses at MWC, introducing a 40-gram wearable that delivers real-time voice and visual translation, with subtitles displayed directly in the user’s field of view. The device uses lip-movement recognition to identify active speakers and reduce background noise in crowded settings, supporting multilingual meetings, negotiations, and cross-border communication.

Xiaomi plans to release a new smartphone processor each year, president Lu Weibing said at MWC, following last year’s Xring O1 debut. The next chip will launch in China this year before expanding overseas. Xiaomi is also developing an <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> assistant for international markets, potentially using Google's Gemini, ahead of its planned European <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> rollout in 2027.

The White House is debating whether <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a> can retain stakes in Epic Games, Riot Games, and Supercell as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April. The review centers on potential data security risks tied to millions of US users, with officials divided over forcing divestitures or allowing the investments with safeguards.

Schaeffler has named Leju Robotics as its first embodied intelligence partner in China, with plans to collaborate on industrial applications, data training sites, and joint R&amp;D. The partnership integrates Schaeffler’s precision component manufacturing with Leju’s humanoid robot platform and commercialization experience to accelerate large-scale deployment in factories.

Junyang Lin, the tech lead behind <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba's</a> Qwen <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> models, announced on X he is stepping down, offering no reason. The surprise exit came weeks after a major Qwen upgrade and amid Alibaba’s plan to invest more than USD 53 billion in AI infrastructure.

XtalPi said it expects to record its first full-year profit in 2025, forecasting net income of at least RMB 100 million after a RMB 1.5 billion loss in 2024. The company projected revenue of at least RMB 780 million, up nearly 193% YoY, with gains on financial assets exceeding RMB 500 million.

<a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> has tested self-developed humanoid robots in its <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> plant, where they operated autonomously for three hours and completed assembly tasks with a reported 90.2% success rate within a 76-second production cycle. Founder Lei Jun said the company plans to deploy a large number of humanoid robots across its factories over the next five years.

<a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> will manufacture a Leica-branded smartphone for global markets, replacing Leica’s prior Japan-only production with Sharp. Priced from EUR 1,999, the model features dual 50-megapixel cameras, a 200-megapixel telephoto lens, and physical ring controls, with global orders set to open in March.

Global wearable shipments surpassed 200 million units in 2025, up 6% YoY, with <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> ranking first with an 18% market share, followed by Apple at 17% and <a href="/company/huawei">Huawei</a> at 16%, as the market consolidated and vendors increasingly focused on <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> capabilities and subscription-based services.

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Backed by Beijing, Huawei and SMIC lead efforts on advanced production tech.

China aims for fivefold increase in advanced chip output to meet AI demand

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Sea Group operates digital entertainment (Garena), e-commerce (Shopee), and fintech (SeaMoney) platforms across Southeast Asia.

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Shopee, a Southeast Asian online marketplace, features interactive shopping, flash deals, and localized payment options.

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

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The underlying economics of Shopee, Monee, and Garena may be behind the selloff.

Sea fails to impress investors despite strong Q4 results

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T. K. Lin

Huawei, a global telecom and smartphone vendor, delivers networking equipment, 5G solutions, and consumer devices integrating cutting-edge tech.

How does information move at light speed? Review 5G rollouts, fiber networks, and connectivity standards advancing global communication.

Telecommunications

The company aims to address U6GHz’s propagation challenges and unlock a new class of mobile networking performance.

Huawei unveils U6GHz portfolio at MWC Barcelona 2026

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Alibaba hires DeepMind researcher for Qwen

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