Alibaba

ByteDance

CATL

Huawei

Meituan

Tencent

Xiaomi

Most Followed

KrASIA Connection

Market Watch

Earnings Reports

Venture Roundup

China's Auto Sector

100 AI Creators

View All

Collections

News

Features

Insights

Ecosystem

Press Releases

DeepSeek

Li Auto

Luckin Coffee

Mixue Bingcheng

Pop Mart

Xpeng

Going Global

Latest

About

Robotics

Collaborate

Earnings

… production vehicles via ADS 4.0 updates. If a driver becomes unresponsive, the vehicle can slow, move to the emergency lane, and activate hazard lights.
In this way, Level 3 development has begun to influence broader assisted driving safety standards, even before large-scale commercialization.
<h3>Where assisted driving is heading</h3>
Policy signals suggest expansion will be gradual rather than rapid. MIIT’s latest roadmap for smart and connected vehicles and industry research from Deloitte both forecast growth in China’s Level 3 market, from an estimated RMB 150 billion (USD 21 billion) in 2025 to RMB 800 billion (USD 112 billion) by 2030, implying a compound annual growth rate of 38.7%.
Adoption, however, will depend less on headline capability than on sustained reliability. Trust between users and automated systems is built incrementally, through consistent performance rather than isolated milestones.
HIMA’s approach reflects that assumption. By prioritizing system engineering, data depth, and ecosystem integration, it is treating Level 3 less as a feature upgrade and more as a structural transition.
By late 2025, competition in assisted driving is increasingly defined by execution rather than demonstrations. Level 3 marks the beginning of a phase in which differentiation hinges on reliability, accountability, and integration.
HIMA’s early move into regulated Level 3 testing does not settle the industry’s debates, but it does clarify one thing. As Level 2 systems reach diminishing returns, the path forward depends on whether companies can deliver not just autonomy, but confidence.
The central question remains unresolved but sharply framed: what degree of reliability is required before drivers are willing to relinquish control at highway speeds? HIMA’s answer is to accumulate evidence, one kilometer at a time.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3611818215228420">article</a> was written by 36Kr Brand.

HIMA’s Level 3 autonomous vehicles hit the roads as China authorizes real-world testing

East Asia

China

Transportation

Autonomous Vehicles

Mobility

… aria-describedby="caption-attachment-159183" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-159183" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie.jpg" alt="A group selfie taken with the iQOO 15 smartphone, according to the brand." width="720" height="540" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie-720x540.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie-768x576.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iQOO-15-Selfie-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-159183" class="wp-caption-text">Aimed at broader appeal, the iQOO 15 combines high-end display specifications with a versatile camera system, including a 32-megapixel front camera and three 50-megapixel rear cameras supporting standard, periscope, and wide-angle shots. Photo source: iQOO.</figcaption></figure>
Despite its wider focus, gaming remains central to the device’s design. The iQOO 15 includes a dual-axis vibration motor that enables what the company describes as “true 4D vibration,” intended at delivering more immersive tactile feedback during gameplay.
Touch responsiveness has also been improved through chip- and algorithm-level optimization, enabling a 3,200 Hz touch sampling rate alongside a stable 360 Hz ten-finger touch rate. These changes are aimed at genres such as shooters, where consistent and rapid input response is critical.
Overall, the iQOO 15 is positioned for mobile gamers seeking high-end performance without compromising comfort during extended sessions. It also targets heavy video consumers drawn to high brightness, rich color reproduction, and Dolby Vision-certified playback, as well as users who are sensitive to eye strain and prioritize display quality for daily use.
This article was published in partnership with <a href="https://www.iqoo.com/">iQOO</a>.

iQOO 15 highlights display innovation with Samsung’s polarization-free OLED

Smartphones

Consumer Economy

… Other Asian nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, with larger land availability, lower costs and bigger populations, are positioning themselves to appeal to the same pool of investors.
Some of the buildup in Johor, he said, “is not based on strong fundamentals of local demand so ... there is a fear of oversupply.” Eventually, he believes, capacity will be distributed based on market demand.
“I don’t think there will be a single country to become an AI hub. I think everybody is just chasing which locations have the proper infrastructure to handle AI specification [computing],” Iskandar said.
Castrol’s Huang said other contenders are emerging, such as Australia, which carries less geopolitical risk and does not have to deal with restrictions on access to advanced AI chips, while also benefiting from solid demand from sectors like corporate IT and mining.
Others take a different view. “We are still in an undersupply situation," Robert Cheng, head of Asia tech hardware research with BofA Global Research, told Nikkei Asia. “Every sentence, every video AI produces relies on computing power, and there is room for AI to improve. … The demand is huge.”
For Yong, the construction management consultant and longtime Johor resident, Malaysia’s AI data center boom is a chance for the nation to elevate both its economy and its global stature.
“There are certainly challenges, such as a shortage of construction workers … but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have to seize,” Yong said.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/tech-asia/malaysia-s-data-center-boom-an-inside-look-at-asia-s-battle-for-ai-supremacy">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

Malaysia's data center boom: An inside look at Asia's battle for AI supremacy

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

AI Infrastructure

Malaysia

Southeast Asia

… on. At that stage, you are effectively trading vision and execution for their confidence.
<h3>36Kr: How do you organize your AI team to handle hardware manufacturing?</h3>
YY: The AI era has made information more accessible and learning faster, which allows us to stay lean. We operate like a special forces unit, fewer people, higher efficiency.
Each domain, whether joint drives or module structure, has a single accountable owner. Clear ownership eliminates finger-pointing. When issues arise, we always know who is responsible for resolving them.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3609023520998409">article</a> was written by Fu Chong for 36Kr.

Vbot unveils BoBo, a robotic dog built to live and play among humans

… smart glasses, creating a broader service ecosystem. Over time, these tools may function less as standalone features and more as underlying digital infrastructure.
As access improves, emerging markets are increasingly participating in global technology cycles rather than observing from the margins. Transsion’s commercial expansion has coincided with this shift, suggesting that localization and scale are not mutually exclusive.
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Think globally, act locally</h3>
Africa may be Transsion’s starting point, but it’s far from its endpoint. Having served hundreds of millions of users there, the company has built an efficient and adaptive market model, one it can now apply to other regions.
The data supports this expansion. In 2024, Transsion held 14% of the global smartphone market, briefly ranking among the top three. By the third quarter of 2025, it continued gaining share across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, taking leading positions in key markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
Internally, Transsion often repeats a guiding phrase: think globally, act locally. While market conditions vary, the process remains consistent: understand local users, design accordingly, then build brand relevance.
Indonesia offers one example. With a young population and high social media penetration, the market has proven receptive to midrange gaming phones. Transsion emphasized e-commerce channels over traditional retail and built awareness through esports events, local influencers, and online communities. Growth has been gradual but sustained in a competitive segment.
Trust in emerging markets is typically built over time, through consistent delivery rather than one-off campaigns. That perspective also shapes Transsion’s sports partnerships.
AFCON sponsorships, for many global brands, are primarily about visibility. Transsion’s approach has leaned toward integration. For AFCON 2025, Tecno introduced AI features that function alongside match viewing, allowing users to identify players, review tactics, generate highlights, and interact with match content through its assistant. These tools are designed to complement, rather than replace, the viewing experience.
<figure id="attachment_159164" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-159164" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-159164" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tecno-AFCON-2025-Ella-Star-Cam.jpg" alt="A promotional banner for Ella Star Cam, an AI-powered Tecno feature that generates virtual photos with football players." width="480" height="600" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tecno-AFCON-2025-Ella-Star-Cam.jpg 1080w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tecno-AFCON-2025-Ella-Star-Cam-576x720.jpg 576w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tecno-AFCON-2025-Ella-Star-Cam-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tecno-AFCON-2025-Ella-Star-Cam-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-159164" class="wp-caption-text">A promotional banner for Ella Star Cam, an AI-powered Tecno feature that generates virtual photos with football players. The tool was launched as part of Tecno’s role as a global official partner of the AFCON 2025 tournament. Image source: Tecno.</figcaption></figure>
Football in Africa is more than entertainment. It functions as a shared cultural language, closely linked to community life, identity, and social cohesion. Transsion’s AFCON partnership reflects its emphasis on locally driven innovation, using technology in ways that align with everyday experiences rather than abstract use cases.
By committing to a long-term partnership with the Confederation of African Football and supporting community football projects, Transsion is not simply buying visibility. It is positioning its brand within a broader social context. The return on that investment is unlikely to appear immediately in sales figures, but a gradual strengthening of brand recognition and trust is a plausible outcome.
More broadly, Transsion’s competitiveness cannot be reduced to a single metric. It is neither only a low-cost challenger nor a dominant technology leader. Its advantage lies in addressing practical problems through a combination of deep localization and inclusive design. That capability has allowed it to operate across regions and market cycles without frequent shifts in strategy.
Against that backdrop, Tecno’s presence at AFCON signals more than sponsorship. It reflects a long-term approach built on patience and adaptation, one that may be replicable across markets.
That, in turn, points to a working definition of a global brand: one that balances commercial objectives with durable trust, and maintains consistency amid changing global conditions.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3610699033330692">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

More than a sponsor: How Tecno uses AFCON and football to become part of Africa’s story

Africa

… disrupted economic activity, "the current slump is broad-based and has accelerated notably since July [2025]," Mizuho Securities senior China economist Serena Zhou wrote in a note in mid-November.
In Foshan, officials are racing to lure other types of enterprises, such as <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicle</a> frame makers and battery packaging companies, in hopes of upgrading the city's industrial base rather than risk being left hollowed out. Advertisements for factories were posted on a bulletin board near the shuttered Weiyasen facility. Factory space in the city was going for RMB 0.43 (USD 0.06) per square meter per day in November, down from RMB 0.62 (USD 0.09) in 2022, according to property site 58.com.
But while some exporters are struggling to adapt to the new era, China's overall trade performance has eased concerns about an economic slowdown and made a case for staying the course.
"The rebound of export growth in November helps to mitigate the <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/china-signals-investment-push-next-year-as-domestic-demand-falters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weak domestic demand</a>," Zhang Zhiwei, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, wrote in a note. "It seems the economy is on track to deliver around 5% growth this year, in line with the government's target."
The momentum, however, could stoke friction with governments besides the US, from <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/asean-money/trump-tariffs-shine-spotlight-on-chinese-targeting-southeast-asian-consumers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Southeast Asia</a> to <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade/eu-pushes-for-china-trade-rebalancing-as-trump-factor-looms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Europe</a> to <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/china-urges-mexico-to-correct-erroneous-practices-over-tariff-hikes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Latin America</a>. "Let me be very blunt. China is not fair in its contribution to the world economy. It's exporting and not importing," Samy Chaar, chief economist at Swiss private bank Lombard Odier, said at a briefing on December 11. Given weak domestic demand, he said, "China is trying access demand where it can find it. … The rest of the world is trying to shield itself from the Chinese ogre in terms of production and exports."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/policy-asia/china-revs-up-global-sales-push-despite-trump-s-trade-war">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

China revs up global sales push despite Trump's trade war

Chinese consumers are increasingly shifting to stores that offer competitive prices such as conveyor belt sushi chains as the impact of the government's stimulus spending faded in the latter half of 2025, signaling weakening domestic demand.
An office worker in Beijing said he used his government subsidy to buy a smartphone for his mother. The subsidy, worth about USD 70, lowered the price of the purchase to RMB 4,500 (USD 630). "We didn't urgently need it, but the subsidy made it cheaper, so we went ahead and bought it," he said.
But he bought nothing during the Singles' Day sales campaign, a major retail event that runs in November. "I can't just open up my wallet" when there is no prospect for a salary increase, he said, adding that there was nothing he particularly wanted to buy.
Sales during the Singles' Day campaign rose 14.2% on the year, according to a Chinese research firm, but growth slowed compared to the 26.6% increase that companies logged in 2024.
The government allocated RMB 300 billion (USD 42 billion) to the subsidy program in 2025, and from January it expanded the policy to apply to purchases of such devices as smartphones and tablets. But areas such as Shanghai and Anhui switched to a lottery system for the subsidies from summer, dampening consumer enthusiasm. Some places have already ended the payments.
The subsidy program had the effect of front-loading demand. A Morgan Stanley survey of about 2,000 Chinese consumers found that about 70% moved forward their purchases by up to six months because of the subsidies. Even with the financial boost from the program, the effect is proving short-lived.
There were only a few customers in a Beijing smartphone store in early December 2025. Smartphone makers are trying to lure their customers by taking such steps as selling new models at cheaper prices. Smartphone shipments in the July-September quarter fell 0.6% on the year, according to US-based research firm IDC.
Chinese leadership set the country's economic policy at the Central Economic Work Conference, which concluded on December 11. While moving to curb a sharp rise in the deficit, officials maintained their position on using active spending measures to boost domestic demand. While the leadership agreed on improvements on the incentive program, leaning on similar schemes risks further eating into future demand.
With consumption tepid, companies offering strong value at low prices are performing well.
On December 6, Japan's Food &amp; Life Companies (F&amp;LC) opened <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/food-beverage/japan-s-sushiro-opens-to-14-hour-wait-times-in-shanghai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two locations</a> of its Sushiro conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain in Shanghai. Crowds gathered early on opening day to get seating tickets. By opening, the restaurant had handed out 697 tickets, with waiting times reaching up to 14 hours.
Sushi plates cost between RMB 10–28 (USD 1.4–3.9) . A local man, his wife and ten-year-old son together ate nearly 30 plates. "It's really good, and it's cheap," he said.
As high-end restaurants in China close one after another, cost-conscious dining options like conveyor belt sushi are gaining popularity. "I care about the value along with the taste when choosing a place to eat out," said the local man.
F&amp;LC plans to expand its Greater China store count by more than 30% in the fiscal year ending September 2026 from the 160 locations at the end of fiscal 2025. Hotpot chain Haidilao is entering the conveyor belt sushi market, recently opening a store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/china-s-consumers-hunt-for-bargains-after-subsidy-fueled-demand-fizzles">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

China's consumers hunt for bargains after subsidy-fueled demand fizzles

Retail

… demand window.
<h3>36Kr: It has been nearly three years since Baozun took over. What stands out most from that journey?</h3>
KH: After acquiring such a large international brand, we had to overhaul everything, from people and products to channels and organizational systems. When other companies ask what the hardest part was, I say “everything.”
Our priorities have evolved over time. In the first phase, we focused on rebuilding core infrastructure. Last year, we aligned brand positioning and product strategy. This year, we are deepening and expanding our retail channels.
<h3>36Kr: Foreign brands have long been manufacturing in China. Is there still room to improve the supply chain?</h3>
KH: Absolutely. During the first two years, offline expansion was limited, but our e-commerce business continued to grow. For example, we developed a matrix of <a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a> accounts to better reach target audiences. When a product gains traction online, local supply chains must respond quickly.
That requires end-to-end agility, from design to manufacturing. By synchronizing supply and demand, we have built faster and more efficient production cycles.
<h3>36Kr: Given today’s price-sensitive environment, will your reduced reliance on discounts hold?</h3>
KH: Before the acquisition, Gap often relied on deep discounts to clear inventory. We have since returned to a more rational level.
Gap remains a mass market brand. We aim to leverage scale to achieve supply chain efficiencies and pass value to consumers through quality rather than markdowns.
<h3>36Kr: Your local supply chain ratio is around 70%, correct?</h3>
KH: Yes, and that is a healthy balance. It fluctuates by about 10% depending on seasonal collections. We do not localize for its own sake. Our goal is to offer both locally developed products and selected global pieces that align with the brand’s positioning.
<h3>36Kr: After two years of localization, what are the biggest challenges in driving further growth?</h3>
KH: I would not frame them as challenges. Our direction is clear. It simply takes time for consumers to feel the change and for results to mature.
<h3>36Kr: Has your experience in China influenced Gap globally?</h3>
KH: Yes. Our fall 2025 campaign in China performed well and gave the global team confidence. Platforms such as Douyin have become case studies for Gap’s international <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> strategy. The global team frequently visits China to study our operations.
We have also received interest from Gap’s other Asia partners, who want to source from our China-developed collections because they better suit regional body types and aesthetics. That creates new opportunities for Gap China’s design team.
<h3>36Kr: Beyond financial targets, what expectations does Baozun’s leadership have?</h3>
KH: They place strong emphasis on organizational capability, particularly end-to-end execution from design through supply chain, as well as long-term brand influence.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3600585711157249">article</a> was written by Li Xiaoxia for 36Kr.

Baozun takes a “local for local” approach to rewire apparel brand Gap for China

Fashion

Creative

… href="https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/trump-says-he-ll-visit-china-in-april-and-host-xi-next-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US-China trade tensions</a>. "Our sales performance in the US this year has grown several times despite tariff challenges," he said.
Pudu is reportedly nearing breakeven after nearly a decade of operations, and Zhang confirmed that the company is preparing for an IPO, though he declined to provide a timeline.
"Globally, the penetration rate of our B2B robots is still probably under 5%," he said. "There's tremendous room for growth."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/interview/china-s-pudu-takes-robot-dogs-outdoors-to-fuel-growth">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

China's Pudu takes quadruped robots outdoors to fuel growth