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China UnionPay and Ant Group have formed a partnership to expand payment collaboration, including new terminals integrating multiple payment methods a…

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

China

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

East Asia

Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, is a platform that connects users to curated content for fashion, beauty, travel, and more.

Xiaohongshu

What guides machine-led insights? Uncover AI applications, language models, and decision-making systems transforming sectors worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence

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

Consumer Economy

What lies beyond familiar frontiers? Investigate emerging tech—like quantum computing and AI—transforming traditional sectors.

Deep Tech

Xiaohongshu is elevating AI across its organization while trying to protect the community that made it valuable.

Four years after ChatGPT, Xiaohongshu’s AI restraint gives way to urgency

Decoding China&#039;s tech and business pulse

KrASIA

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.

Cheng Zi

Photo shows a Nowwa Coffee outlet in the Wanzai Ancient City area of Yichun, Jiangxi.

How do stores adapt to digital shifts? Explore e-commerce integration, inventory analytics, and omnichannel strategies for modern shoppers.

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Nowwa’s shop-in-shop model has lowered costs, but also made quality control and brand building harder.

After crossing 10,000 stores, Nowwa Coffee faces the hard part

Tencent, a Chinese tech conglomerate, invests in gaming, social media, and cloud services, supporting entertainment and connectivity worldwide.

How do markets shape wealth creation? Study portfolio diversification, asset classes, and strategies balancing growth and risk.

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When do companies invite public investment? Understand listing criteria, underwriter roles, and regulatory steps defining initial offerings.

Why do firms join forces? Investigate synergy goals, valuation methods, and negotiations driving corporate consolidation.

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What happens after acquisitions close? Examine deal structures, operational improvements, and exit strategies molding corporate outcomes.

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What fuels startup ecosystems? Review funding rounds, investor strategies, and market insights guiding entrepreneurial growth.

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Bringing you the latest updates on funding and investment activity across the Asia Pacific.

Deals in brief: FusionAP raises pre-seed funding, SeaX Ventures backs US-based Melazyme, seven China investments, and more

An alias used when humans and machines team up in our newsroom. Articles under this byline may be shaped with the help of AI, but are always vetted by a human before publication.

Sudo Lim

KrASIA tracks China’s tech and business stories, alongside key developments across the broader Asia Pacific region.

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China UnionPay and <a href="/company/ant-group">Ant Group</a> have formed a partnership to expand payment collaboration, including new terminals integrating multiple payment methods and joint efforts in consumer subsidy programs and services.

Manus co-founders are discussing raising about USD 1 billion to buy back the <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> startup from Meta. The deal, which values Manus at USD 2–3 billion, aims to establish a Chinese joint venture ahead of a planned Hong Kong IPO.

Tongcheng Travel posted a 14.4% YoY increase in Q1 2026 revenue to RMB 5.01 billion, while net profit grew 16.5% to RMB 779 million. The company attributed the growth to stronger domestic travel demand and the consolidation of Wanda Hotels and Resorts.

<a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> is accelerating talks to enter Formula 1 following a meeting between executive vice president Stella Li and former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. BYD is planning further meetings with Formula 1 and FIA officials, though talks remain at an early stage and entry is not guaranteed.

<a href="/company/nio">Nio</a> reported Q1 2026 revenue of RMB 25.53 billion, up 112.2% YoY, marking its second consecutive quarter of operating profit. The company recorded an operating profit of RMB 66.8 million, supported by a record 19% gross margin and reduced R&amp;D spending. Nio delivered 83,465 vehicles during the period and projects Q2 deliveries of 110,000–115,000 units.

CapCut announced a partnership with Google to integrate its creative and editing features directly into the Gemini app. Users will soon be able to edit images and videos within the <a href="/industry/ai">AI</a> platform. The companies have not disclosed further details on the integration timeline or additional functionality.

<a href="/company/netease">NetEase</a> reported Q1 2026 net revenue of RMB 30.6 billion and R&amp;D investment of RMB 4.5 billion. The company posted non-GAAP net profit of RMB 11.3 billion. Its gaming division contributed RMB 25.7 billion in net revenue, while Youdao reported RMB 1.3 billion in revenue.

Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) has announced plans for an IPO. The Wuhan-based chipmaker holds about 14% of the global NAND flash market and is expanding production, with a third factory expected to begin operations by the end of 2026.

<a href="/company/luckin-coffee">Luckin Coffee</a> has launched a line of alcoholic beverages in China, following Starbucks in a push to use off-peak store hours. Luckin is relying on its 33,500-store network to drive frequent, lower-cost sales.

Investor Duan Yongping liquidated his Alibaba stake and initiated a position in Tesla during the first quarter of 2026, according to an SEC filing. His firm, H&amp;H International Investment, increased its Nvidia holdings by 91.3% and its Pinduoduo stake by 71%. The portfolio was valued at USD 20.04 billion as of March 31, up 14.4% from the end of 2025.

<a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a> launched Marvis, an OS-level AI assistant, on May 21. The tool, available on Windows, Mac, and Android, integrates with system architecture to manage files, control desktop applications, and process images. Mavis uses a routing mechanism to distribute tasks between local and cloud models, enabling some offline functions.

Electronics shipments to Taiwan, South Korea, and the US rose in April.

Malaysia, Singapore exports surge on AI boom, defying Middle East shock

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Photo shows Sonavox’s booth at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.

What grounds digital progress in physical form? Analyze chipsets, sensors, and advanced components driving device performance.

Hardware

The Chinese supplier is building acoustic systems that automakers are increasingly fitting into their latest vehicle models.

Sonavox makes a loud case for audio as part of the smart cabin stack

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Europe

Huixing expects to give Mayer & Cie a new lease of life amid an industry hemmed in by Chinese rivals.

UnionPay partners Ant on payments

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Malaysia, Singapore exports surge on AI boom, defying Middle East shock

Sonavox makes a loud case for audio as part of the smart cabin stack

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