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Li Auto has built a humanoid robotics team, codenamed Nexus, and is preparing to launch a two-wheeled robot for factory use by mid-2026. The sub-30-me…

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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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Explore East Asia’s thriving tech hubs, global electronics producers, and fast-evolving digital platforms shaping cross-border innovation.

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MiniMax, a Chinese company, develops large models and generative AI tools. It is known for the Talkie chatbot and Hailuo AI, a multimodal AI platform.

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Investors are taking an upbeat view as the AI firm delivers its first earnings report following its Hong Kong listing.

MiniMax’s ARR tops USD 150 million as it pivots toward an AI platform model

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IPO Zaozhidao is a Chinese media outlet that provides timely coverage of IPO developments and related market signals.

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JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce leader, ensures trusted transactions, efficient logistics, and a wide product selection for online shoppers.

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Backed by a robust ecosystem and amid accelerating overseas expansion, JD Property’s valuation case may be due for a reset.

Can JD Property’s overseas push reshape its IPO valuation story?

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Deals in brief: Aonic, Dyna.Ai, and MyFirst raise Series A funding; Icon1c secures member backing; seven China investments, and more

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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/li-auto">Li Auto</a> has built a humanoid <a href="/industry/robotics">robotics</a> team, codenamed Nexus, and is preparing to launch a two-wheeled robot for factory use by mid-2026. The sub-30-member group is led by He Junpei, a former hardware partner at robotics startup Jiuguang, after CEO Li Xiang revived the project in late 2024 to focus first on hardware development.

Denso has made a takeover bid for Rohm that could value the Kyoto-based semiconductor group at up to JPY 1.3 trillion, sources said. Rohm has set up a special committee to assess the offer, and Denso may pursue a hostile bid if it is rejected. The deal would reshape Japan’s power semiconductor sector.

Neolix has suspended daily operations of its driverless delivery vehicles in Abu Dhabi, as geopolitical tensions in the region escalate. It said it is following local authorities’ unified requirements and prioritizing personnel and operational safety, and will resume and expand services once conditions permit.

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.

<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.

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.

Bilibili, an online entertainment platform, features anime, gaming videos, live streams, and interactive communities appealing to younger audiences.

Bilibili

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Can brief clips hold lasting impact? Analyze short-form content trends, creator communities, and platform strategies for rapid viewer engagement.

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How do visuals captivate global viewers? Dive into streaming services, production models, and evolving formats defining video engagement.

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The results did little to excite investors despite expanding margins.

Bilibili posts first full year of GAAP profit as ad business strengthens

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T. K. Lin

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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.

Lenovo supplies laptops, PCs, smartphones, and data center solutions, supporting business productivity and personal computing across markets.

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Transsion, an electronics brand popular in Africa, produces smartphones and feature phones tailored to local consumer preferences.

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Xiaomi crafts affordable smartphones, wearables, and IoT devices, appealing to users who seek innovation, quality, and budget-friendly tech.

What sets the bar for convenience? Examine on-demand platforms, subscription models, and personalization transforming consumer expectations.

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Enterprise Services

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Hardware

How do connected devices shape daily life? Examine IoT sensors, data platforms, and security protocols integrating smart tech into homes and cities.

Internet of Things

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

Robotics

What fits the world in your pocket? Track device innovation, OS ecosystems, and connectivity shaping smartphone usage.

Smartphones

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

Telecommunications

Europe

The annual Barcelona event offered a glimpse of the latest emerging technologies.

AI glasses, concept phones, and other technologies that stood out at MWC 2026

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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Cheng Zi

Lin Junyang’s abrupt resignation has unsettled employees at Alibaba’s flagship AI unit.

Li Auto plans factory robot launch

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Bilibili posts first full year of GAAP profit as ad business strengthens

AI glasses, concept phones, and other technologies that stood out at MWC 2026

Alibaba scrambles after sudden departure of Qwen tech lead