Alibaba

Baidu

ByteDance (TikTok)

DeepSeek

Meituan

Pinduoduo (Temu)

Xiaohongshu (RedNote)

Most Watched

Southeast Asia

China

Middle East

Japan

South Korea

Europe

Places

KrASIA Connection

Deals in Brief

Our Events

View All Collections

Collections

Events

Ecosystem

Insights

Features

About

36Kr (EN)

News

A wave of companies is rushing to adopt the latest artificial intelligence model from Chinese startup <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a>, drawn by its promise of advanced reasoning and lower operational costs. The model, known as DeepSeek-R1, is already being integrated by businesses spanning industries from automotive marketplaces to holographic technology, signaling how AI development is no longer dominated by Western firms like <a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a>.
Among the early adopters is automotive marketplace TuanChe, which announced on January 28 that it will integrate DeepSeek-R1 into its data analytics and marketing recommendation platform to enhance consumer targeting and responsiveness. Meanwhile, in the growing holographic industry, Nasdaq-listed WiMi Hologram Cloud and MicroCloud Hologram plan to embed R1 into their content generation pipelines, citing its ability to enable more lifelike 3D imagery through complex reasoning and rapid self-learning.
Elsewhere, AI-driven search engine Perplexity AI has incorporated R1 to enhance deep web research, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/luisromero/2025/01/28/deepseek-now-in-perplexitys-ai-search-us-ai-dominance-challenged/">Forbes</a>. Underscoring the model’s growing acceptance, <a href="/company/microsoft">Microsoft</a>—an OpenAI backer—has also added R1 to its model catalog on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub.
This surge of adoption speaks to a key challenge in AI: scaling inference. While companies invest heavily in training large models, they may struggle to serve them efficiently at scale afterward, leading to high costs and latency. R1 addresses this issue with a focus on efficient inference.
A key factor in the model’s efficiency is its mixture-of-experts (MoE) architecture, which activates only a fraction of its parameters at a time, reducing power consumption and processing delays. DeepSeek also employs a multi-stage loop training method that combines self-play and iterative refinement—a form of reinforcement learning that minimizes the need for massive labeled datasets.
Another major draw is R1’s open-source licensing, which allows companies to inspect and customize the model to suit specialized applications. This flexibility stands in contrast to proprietary AI systems, which have hitherto been more expensive and less transparent.
whereRelatedArticle
R1’s efficiency raises questions about the long-term demand for high-end AI hardware. Some analysts suggest that more efficient architectures could dampen spending on GPUs from dominant chipmakers like Nvidia. Others argue that lower inference costs will expand AI adoption overall, ultimately benefiting the hardware market.
DeepSeek’s Chinese origins add another layer of complexity. US lawmakers are already grappling with the influence of fast-growing Chinese digital platforms, most notably <a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok</a>, which has faced ongoing scrutiny over national security concerns. For businesses integrating R1, such as Perplexity AI, storing data on US- or EU-based servers is, for now, a way to comply with regulations and address potential security risks.
Still, some speculate whether DeepSeek could face restrictions similar to TikTok’s in the US, given Washington’s increasing focus on AI as a strategic asset.
Despite these uncertainties, R1’s rapid adoption highlights how AI competition may very well still be in its early stages. As newer players enter the space, even established leaders like OpenAI may find themselves challenged in ways that were unthinkable just a few years ago.

A new AI disruptor? Businesses rush to integrate DeepSeek-R1

East Asia

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

Artificial intelligence

… entrepreneur has been intense. I’ve had to adapt to the complexities of the business world and make difficult but necessary decisions.
When I look back, I feel immense gratitude for all the challenges we’ve faced. It’s those hardships that have made Narwal stronger. While others might grow up in a protective bubble, we’ve proven our resilience by overcoming adversity.
Narwal’s journey has taught me that every decision matters. One wrong move could lead to irreversible consequences. But as long as we stay focused on user value and follow our unique rhythm, I’m confident that Narwal will continue to thrive.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3126462893005064">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

How Narwal turned a crisis into a springboard for growth

Robotics

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei Technologies is eyeing a global comeback, boosting the number of markets where it sells phones equipped with high-performance chips—developed in-house to sidestep US sanctions—to about 60.
At the end of 2024, large billboards for Huawei's latest foldable smartphone, the Mate X6, were spotted in high-profile locations around the world in cities like Hong Kong, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur.
The Mate X6 was released in mainland China and Malaysia in December 2024 and in Hong Kong on January 8. It will soon be available in several European countries. Based on Huawei's regional websites, the number of countries and regions where the Mate X6 is available has expanded to more than 30, including the Middle East and South America.
The phone sells for EUR 1,999 (USD 2,050) in Europe, 4% higher than the latest foldable smartphone with similar performance capabilities from Samsung Electronics.
The Mate X6 is equipped with the latest version of Huawei's Kirin proprietary chipsets, boasting improved video processing and other capabilities. The company said the smoothness of video watched on a subway and the speed of recovering a connection after leaving an elevator or tunnel have both increased by between 60–80%.
Kirin chipsets are systems-on-chips (SoC), integrated circuits that combine functions like processing and memory onto a single chip. They are capable of the Chinese equivalent of 5G high-speed communications without relying on US technology. These chips were first installed in the Mate 60 phone released in China in August 2023 and have been evolving with each new phone model since then.
They are also installed in the Pura 70 phone, released in April 2024, which has been shipped to about 60 countries and regions. Although Huawei's latest models are not sold in the US, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and some other markets, the number is steadily increasing.
Huawei has been bolstering in-house chip development due to US measures first put in place in 2019 to restrict its access to US technology.
The restrictions prohibited the company from doing business with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, cutting off its supply of high-performance chips. For Huawei's smartphone operating systems (OS), the use of Google's Android was also curtailed.
From 2021 to the first half of 2023, Huawei had no choice but to use semiconductors made by US-based Qualcomm that only supported slower 4G communications, while its restricted OS access was also a hindrance. Its global market share, in which it held the top spot in the April-June 2020 period, plummeted.
By 2023, the number of countries and regions with Huawei facilities that handle after-sales services for smartphones had fallen by half from 2020's figure of 105, according to disclosure documents. Based on data from a research company, the overseas portion of Huawei's smartphone shipments fell from 30% to less than 10% over the same span.
The new Kirin chips appear to be designed by Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon and produced by Chinese contract chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company (SMIC). Yields were initially low due to a lack of technical capabilities, but many in the chip industry believe that HiSilicon's design capabilities and SMIC's yields have both improved.
In a potential sign that costs have come down, the chips used in Huawei's low-cost Changxiang 70X smartphone—released in China on January 3—have been switched from Qualcomm to Kirin.
In terms of chip technology, Kirin is a 7-nanometer product, less advanced than the 3-nm products used in the latest smartphones from other major manufacturers. Facing difficulties in closing that gap further due to US sanctions, Huawei is trying to compensate using its in-house OS.
Smartphones to be released in China in the future will be equipped with HarmonyOS Next, the company's first fully in-house OS. Smartphones sold overseas currently use an Android-based OS, but the company is considering switching those as well in the future.
"Over the past six years, we have experienced countless moments of darkness, frustration, and bewilderment," Huawei deputy chairwoman and CFO Sabrina Meng, who is serving as rotating chairperson for 2025, said in the company's annual year-end message in December. The remarks were a possible reference to the struggles brought on by US restrictions.
"But we gave it our all and have come to understand the true meaning of conviction," Meng said. "Time and again, we've seen the impossible made possible."
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Huawei-crackdown/Huawei-eyes-global-smartphone-comeback-with-in-house-chips" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

Huawei eyes global smartphone comeback with in-house chips

Huawei

Semiconductors

… out for its more challenging combat mechanics. Instead of relying solely on automated battles, players must strategically arrange character cards with unique skills to overcome difficult boss levels. The thrill of mastering the system provides a sense of accomplishment that goes beyond superficial emotional engagement.
Some players, who rarely play otome games, have expressed interest in Ashes of the Kingdom. “I lose interest in romance-focused games quickly, but this game’s strategic combat, city-building, and immersive intrigue are what truly hooked me,” one player said.
It’s apparent female-oriented games do not need to be confined to a single formula. Action, strategy, and real-time combat can all be made female-friendly to bring games beyond meeting surface-level emotional needs, delivering added value.
<h3>Separating characters from gameplay</h3>
While revenue for Ashes of the Kingdom has plummeted, interest in its characters remains strong. Discussions around the characters have not only persisted but even increased, and prices for fan merchandise have stayed stable. Many players who have quit the game entirely still create fan art and purchase character-themed merchandise.
This separation between the game and its characters may stem from the well-rounded character design.
Each major character in Ashes of the Kingdom is given a rich backstory, allowing them to stand as individuals with depth and complexity. When the writing strays from their established personas, players often attribute this to the writers being out-of-character rather than faulting the characters themselves.
One player summed it up: “It’s the initial care and thought put into these characters that make them come alive. They have grown beyond their creators, becoming independent personas.”
This emotional bond has also shielded characters from the game’s controversies. When players invest emotionally in the characters, they tend to shield them from negative perceptions of the game itself.
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Morality in games can be a double-edged sword</h3>
The higher the moral expectations, the more severe a game’s fallout could be. When Ashes of the Kingdom heavily marketed itself with its feminist tagline: “Destiny should belong to women,” it drew in loyal players, but also set a high bar for the game’s content.
Some players had already observed that the storylines lacked impactful moments. The protagonist’s role as prince of Guangling often felt passive, with a lack of agency or resources to achieve goals. This disconnect between lofty marketing slogans and lackluster execution left many players disappointed.
Moreover, while romance remained a key element of the game, the protagonist often ceded pivotal moments to male characters, leading some to complain, “I don’t want to keep seeing her rely on men—I want to see her shine on her own.”
The Ashes of the Kingdom controversy reflects the shifting preferences of female gamers in an era where women’s economic and educational achievements continue to grow. Outdated tropes of strong men and weak women no longer resonate with most female players, who now seek emotional and intellectual equality in the games they play.
Despite the negative fallout from this incident, Ashes of the Kingdom remains a standout for carving out a niche of its own. Its emphasis on female-centered storytelling offers an inspiring foundation for future games. Yet, it also serves as a reminder to developers: to create games that truly reflect women’s needs and perspectives, rather than reducing them to superficial marketing gimmicks.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3132067066583552">article</a> was written by Feng Min for 36Kr.

This otome game’s misstep reveals the high bar set by female players

Gaming

Creative

… automotive industry.
The first year of this battle, 2024, saw annual NEV production and sales surpass 10 million units for the first time, with penetration rates climbing above 40%. Looking ahead, projections from the China EV100 Forum suggest that penetration rates could reach 55% in 2025. This influx of millions of new vehicles is expected to intensify market polarization. Joint ventures continue to lose market share to domestic brands, while competition among Chinese brands becomes increasingly fierce.
whereRelatedArticle
The era of grand narratives around batteries seems largely over. As batteries revert to their role as a core automotive component, smart driving systems are now emerging as the next key driver of sales and brand differentiation.
Even BYD, a leader in the NEV market, is racing to close the gap in smart driving technology. Promising signs indicate that BYD is poised to catch up—and possibly overtake competitors.
The pace of technological innovation in the automotive industry has reached a point where stagnation is no longer an option. Automakers who fail to innovate will be left behind. If fewer than five automakers are destined to remain standing in the industry’s endgame, the current pool of competitors already feels overwhelmingly crowded.
In 2025, every automaker must remain vigilant and ready to fight for survival. With competition intensifying, no one can afford to let their guard down.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3126886568089602">article</a> was written by Han Yongchang for 36Kr.

In 2025’s EV race, range and smart driving will decide the winners

Xpeng Motors

Li Auto

Denza

Transportation

Autonomous Vehicles

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

… p{font-size:20px;line-height:32px}.entry-content h3{font-size:24px;line-height:32px}}</style>

Deals in brief: Elev8.vc closes USD 30 million fund, 129Knots raises funding, HongShan acquires majority stake in Marshall Group, and more

HongShan

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Singapore

Little known till recently, an artificial intelligence startup based in Hangzhou, China, has disrupted global markets and forced a rethink of conventional wisdom about AI development. In the span of a few days, DeepSeek became the most-downloaded free app in the US, surpassing ChatGPT. Meanwhile, the company’s open-source AI model—known as R1—sparked a global selloff in tech stocks.
On January 27, major US technology companies lost nearly USD 1 trillion in combined market value as investors grappled with the implications of DeepSeek’s cost-effective approach. <a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> bore the brunt, plunging 17% in its worst single-day drop since March 2020—erasing USD 589 billion in market capitalization.
Energy and utility stocks also felt the sting, highlighting just how intertwined AI spending has become with broader infrastructure plays. DeepSeek’s sudden emergence undermined the notion that state-of-the-art AI requires the most advanced (and expensive) chips to succeed.
At the heart of the upheaval is DeepSeek’s R1 model. Publicly available and reportedly trained for less than USD 6 million using Nvidia’s H800 GPUs—an older technology approved for sale in China until late last year—R1 showcases advanced "reasoning" capabilities many executives believed were achievable only with billions in hardware outlays.
The US has enacted multiple rounds of export controls on advanced semiconductors bound since 2022, aiming to stymie China’s progress in sensitive technologies. However, DeepSeek’s breakthrough—powered by chips that were still technically legal to export at the time—suggests those measures haven’t been airtight. Lawmakers in Washington are now debating whether even tougher export controls or broader restrictions are needed.
Representative John Moolenaar, who co-chairs a select committee on US-China competition, condemned the current rules and was cited by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-27/deepseek-ai-market-rout-takeaways-on-nvidia-tech-stocks-nvda-meta-aapl">Bloomberg</a> saying, “We must swiftly place stronger export controls on technologies critical to DeepSeek’s AI infrastructure.”
US President Donald Trump, sworn in just last week, struck a measured tone. During a meeting with Republican lawmakers at his golf resort in Miami, he called DeepSeek’s success a “positive development,” applauding the model’s cost-efficiency. At the same time, he warned that China’s advancements should serve as a “wake-up call” for US tech firms.
According to <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3296523/donald-trump-calls-deepseeks-strong-showing-wake-call-us-tech-sector">SCMP</a>, Trump also reiterated a pledge to bring more semiconductor manufacturing stateside, threatening tariffs on foreign-made chips if companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) do not shift more production to the US. “They left us and went to Taiwan,” he said, “which controls about 98% of the chip business. We want them to come back.”
Major AI developers in the US are racing to understand DeepSeek’s methods. A person familiar with OpenAI’s internal deliberations told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/deepseek-ai-platform-brings-a-1-trillion-market-reckoning-on-cost">Bloomberg</a> that the company is analyzing R1’s open-source code, suspecting it may have “distilled” outputs from other large models like GPT or Meta’s Llama. Meta, for its part, has reportedly formed multiple “war rooms” to assess DeepSeek’s performance and any innovative techniques behind it, according to <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/meta-scrambles-after-chinese-ai-equals-its-own-upending-silicon-valley">The Information</a>.
Executives in Silicon Valley are particularly intrigued by DeepSeek’s emphasis on test-time scaling, or the model’s ability to “reason” by spending more compute effort at the moment it generates responses. This approach potentially allows smaller, cheaper models to match the performance of costlier ones that rely on huge training runs and cutting-edge data centers.
Despite the rout, Nvidia welcomed DeepSeek’s advancement as an example of how even older or downgraded chips can foster AI breakthroughs. In a statement, the chipmaker called R1 a “perfect example of test-time scaling,” adding that “inference requires significant numbers of Nvidia GPUs,” implying the Chinese startup’s innovation might still boost overall demand for its products.
However, jittery shareholders remain concerned that big-budget AI arms races may prove unnecessary—or at least less urgent—if DeepSeek’s approach can replicate GPT-4 or GPT-5 performance with just a fraction of the hardware outlay.
DeekSeek’s rise has reignited debate over whether the AI field’s biggest leaps must come from pouring ever more money into chips, servers, and power-hungry data centers. While Meta, Microsoft, and Google are committed to spending upwards of USD 60–80 billion apiece on data center expansions, R1’s low-cost achievement may accelerate a shift toward algorithmic efficiency and open-source collaboration.
whereRelatedArticle
Some observers see parallels to past moments when constraints fueled leaps in innovation. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patgelsinger_wisdom-learning-the-lessons-i-thought-i-activity-7289659541477113856-o1Qr/">“Engineering is about constraints,”</a> said Pat Gelsinger, Intel’s former CEO. “Export laws limited the available resources, so Chinese engineers needed to get creative—and they did.”
For now, DeepSeek has restricted new user sign-ups following “large-scale malicious attacks,” which the startup claims were attempts to undermine its service. Observers believe DeepSeek’s popularity at home and abroad will keep it on regulators’ radars—especially as US officials grapple with whether to widen chip export bans and step up pressure on foreign chipmakers.
“It’s a paradigm shift,” Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-28/deepseek-ai-platform-brings-a-1-trillion-market-reckoning-on-cost">Bloomberg</a>. “These models that can reason are so much cheaper to produce that you will see it be democratized. You’ll see innovations from unexpected corners of the world.”

DeepSeek’s R1 sparks global AI upheaval with low-cost brilliance

… But if you’re fully compliant, you don’t have to worry about those issues.”
<h3>Is Thailand a hub for entrepreneurs?</h3>
Thailand’s appeal to Chinese businesses isn’t limited to factory investments.
Pop Mart, a leading Chinese toy brand, reported a year-on-year revenue increase of over 400% from Southeast Asia in the first half of 2024, with the region now contributing more than 40% of the company’s total overseas revenue.
This remarkable growth underscores the vast potential of the Southeast Asian market. In July 2024, Pop Mart’s Labubu-themed store in Thailand experienced heavy foot traffic, <a href="https://kr-asia.com/pop-marts-labubu-breaks-records-in-thailand-can-the-trend-go-global">generating over RMB 10 million (USD 1.4 million) in single-day revenue</a>—a new record for the brand’s overseas daily sales.
Despite Pop Mart products in Thailand being priced 5–10% higher than in China, the brand continues to thrive. In Bangkok’s malls, Pop Mart vending machines frequently draw long lines of eager customers waiting to make their purchases.
whereRelatedArticle
<a href="https://kr-asia.com/gancubes-premium-puzzle-how-a-champion-turned-his-passion-for-the-rubiks-cube-into-a-global-business">Gancube</a>, a Chinese company specializing in Rubik’s Cubes, also achieved notable results in the Thai market. In its early days of entering Southeast Asia, Gancube ranked as the third most popular toy brand in Thailand, trailing only Lego and Pop Mart. The company’s founder, Jiang Ganyuan, was stunned by these results, especially considering that Gancube’s average price point is in the hundreds of RMB.
Lina, who works in Thailand, told 36Kr: “There’s a Chinese factory selling storage boxes through e-commerce in Thailand, with individual items priced at RMB 200–300 (USD 28–42). They can sell 200–300 units daily. The Thai market isn’t just about competing on price—high-quality, niche products can also fetch premium prices.”
Having lived and worked in Thailand for many years, Jeff concurs. “Thailand’s spending power is strong, and the proportion of high-net-worth individuals is high. Commercial maturity here also exceeds that of neighboring countries. The market is highly unified, unlike other Southeast Asian nations where diverse ethnicities and languages create fragmentation. It’s relatively easier to break into the Thai market,” Jeff said.
“Product prices in Thailand are generally transparent, so it’s hard to compete solely on low prices. Success now depends on building supply chains, ensuring localized operations, and delivering after-sales services. If you just focus on cutting prices, you’re on a dead-end path,” Jeff added.
Thailand’s economic standing is among the upper echelon of Southeast Asia. In 2024, Thailand’s per capita GDP reached USD 7,810, ranking fourth in the region. It is also the second largest ASEAN economy.
Thailand benefits from a relatively stable political environment. China has been Thailand’s largest trading partner for years, and the two governments maintain friendly relations. These factors make Thailand an attractive destination for many Chinese companies looking to expand globally.
<h3>Is doing business in Thailand risk-free?</h3>
While Thailand’s favorable business environment makes it an attractive destination, challenges persist for those venturing abroad.
Max, for instance, intentionally avoids engaging with the local Chinese business community in Thailand. His company’s employees are predominantly Thai locals. Similarly, Jeff mentioned that most of his business partners in Thailand are local, with no Chinese collaborators. “Working with Thai partners is less costly and involves fewer social obligations. Relationships here are simpler to maintain,” Jeff said.
Notably, a report from WeChat outlet Zhengmian Lianjie shed light on an issue that emerged during the pandemic: some Chinese businesspeople in Mae Sot had allegedly set up systems to bribe immigration officials, police, and border guards. These networks reportedly facilitated smuggling and illegal activities, supporting Chinese individuals involved in cross-border fraud.
Although such reports may represent isolated incidents, both Max and Jeff agreed that the Chinese community in Thailand can sometimes be complex. For those seeking to establish legitimate businesses, it’s best to remain cautious about whom to associate with.
Lina also stressed the importance of securing a proper work visa before moving to Thailand for employment. “Some Chinese companies ask employees to enter Thailand on a tourist visa, then convert it to a business visa after they start working, and eventually switch to a work visa. This is not compliant with Thai labor laws. Signing a labor contract after entering the country on a tourist visa has no legal standing. If the government discovers this, employees may face deportation and a ban on reentry,” she said.
Jeff noted that obtaining work visas used to be a cumbersome process, sometimes requiring under-the-table payments to officials. “In the past, you had to give small bribes to get a work visa approved, which made the process expensive. Thankfully, this is no longer the case,” he said.
Nonetheless, various factors continue to cause delays in obtaining work visas for employees. Even Lina, who works for a relatively large company in Thailand, faced issues when her work visa was not processed in advance.
The question of whether expanding to Thailand is a safe move ultimately depends on individual circumstances. However, one universal truth applies: conducting business in compliance with local laws and regulations is indispensable for achieving long-term success.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3133333297830406">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

Thailand remains a top destination for Chinese businesses despite concerns

Thailand

… will drive growth.” It took Han more than a year to secure his first contract in the UAE.
For many Chinese enterprises, entering the Middle East is still an exploratory endeavor. Initial steps often center on market research and preliminary engagement. However, the competition is intense, with companies from the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia also vying for market share.
Noor Al Tamimi, a board member of ADCCI, encourages Chinese entrepreneurs to personally explore opportunities in the region, rather than relying solely on representatives. “Companies need to immerse themselves in local communities, understand the culture, and then take the leap into their business ventures,” she said.
As Abu Dhabi continues to shape its global economic narrative, Chinese enterprises have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from this transformation. Achieving success, however, demands commitment, adaptability, and a long-term perspective.
Whether leveraging the UAE’s logistical strengths or aligning with its emphasis on knowledge-based industries, Chinese businesses can play a role in this burgeoning market. Yet, they must navigate the region’s distinct challenges—slower operational rhythms, underdeveloped supply chains, and cultural nuances—while competing on a global stage.
As Abu Dhabi’s diverse story unfolds, it beckons those ready to embrace its opportunities and overcome its challenges. For those willing to take the plunge, the Middle East promises a new chapter of growth, innovation, and collaboration.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3123444768757760">article</a> was written by Shi Yi for 36Kr.

As Abu Dhabi beckons with capital and opportunity, who will take the plunge?