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Most AI tools play to our worst instincts. YouMind is betting on the opposite

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

China

… demands. The company ended the quarter with RMB 180.4 billion (USD 25.3 billion) in cash and equivalents, giving it ample firepower to counter rivals and sustain its expansion. “The winner is going to be really valuable,” Wang said. “And we plan to be the winner.”

Meituan had a strong Q1, but it may be the calm before the subsidy storm

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<a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a> is accelerating its large model strategy, with fresh updates to its Hunyuan model lineup and a sharpened focus on agentic <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> and multimodal capabilities.
“As AI continues to evolve, every company is becoming an AI company,” said Tang Daosheng, senior executive vice president of Tencent and CEO of its cloud and smart industries group. Tang was speaking at a Tencent Cloud industry summit held on May 21.
That same day, Tencent unveiled a broad upgrade to its Hunyuan ecosystem. Two new iterations were introduced: the fast-thinking Hunyuan Turbo S and the deep-thinking Hunyuan T1. Built on the foundation of Turbo S, Tencent also debuted the visual reasoning model T1-Vision and the low-latency voice model Hunyuan Voice. Additional multimodal releases included Hunyuan Image 2.0, Hunyuan 3D 2.5, and Hunyuan-Game.
<figure id="attachment_153991" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-153991" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-153991" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng.jpg" alt="Photo of Tang Daosheng, senior executive vice president of Tencent and CEO of its cloud and smart industries group, speaking at the May 21 summit." width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tencent-Tang-Daosheng-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-153991" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of Tang Daosheng, senior executive vice president of Tencent and CEO of its cloud and smart industries group, speaking at the May 21 summit. Photo and header photo source: Tencent.</figcaption></figure>
According to Tang, Hunyuan Turbo S now ranks among the top eight models globally on Chatbot Arena, a well-regarded benchmarking platform for large language models. In China, only <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a> surpasses it. Turbo S also places in the global top ten for STEM capabilities, including math and coding.
Officially launched in early 2025, Turbo S is powered by a hybrid MoE-Mamba architecture. Its performance gains are attributed to deeper token training during pretraining, as well as a new long-short chain-of-thought framework in post-training. Tencent claims over 10% improvement in STEM reasoning, a 24% gain in coding tasks, and a 39% jump in competitive math scores.
Tencent has also been steadily advancing Hunyuan T1, which focuses on deep reasoning. Since launching on the Yuanbao app earlier this year, T1 has undergone multiple iterations. The latest update delivered an 8% improvement in competitive math, another 8% in commonsense Q&amp;A, and a 13% increase in agent task performance.
China’s large model landscape is increasingly specialized, with each player carving out technical niches. Tencent’s multimodal offerings, particularly in 3D and video generation, have seemingly resonated with developers.
Among the newest entries, T1-Vision supports multi-image input and native long-form reasoning. Tencent reports a 5.3% overall performance improvement and a 50% increase in processing speed versus the previous version.
Hunyuan Voice is another key release: a fully end-to-end model tailored for real-time, low-latency communication. It reduces response lag by over 30% compared to traditional cascaded systems, down to 1.6 seconds. The model also delivers stronger human-likeness and emotional expression. Already in soft launch on Yuanbao, real-time video call integration is expected soon.
Tencent also highlighted growing interest in subjective evaluation metrics. Hunyuan Image 2.0 was rated among the most humanlike by users assessing visual quality and style, hinting at a shift in what distinguishes next-gen models.
A standout theme at the summit was Tencent’s formal shift to an agent-first strategy.
Rebranded from its former knowledge engine, the Tencent Cloud Agent Development Platform (TCADP) is now positioned as a one-stop solution for building enterprise-grade AI agents. It integrates Tencent Cloud’s retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) framework with tools to activate domain-specific knowledge and create custom workflows.
Wu Yunsheng, vice president at Tencent Cloud, head of its AI unit, and director of the Youtu Lab, said the company’s goal is to advance AI agents beyond conceptual frameworks, making them genuinely usable for enterprises.
A key enabler of this shift is technological progress. “When we tried to implement similar capabilities using traditional AI, the results were often underwhelming,” said Wu during a post-summit interview. “Tasks like keyword extraction or summary generation require deep language comprehension.”
Large models, especially multimodal ones, have changed the equation. Semantic understanding, context modeling, content segmentation, and tag generation have all seen meaningful advances. Semantic retrieval and matching are now significantly more accurate. Multimodal models, in particular, enable smooth interaction between visual and textual inputs.
“If an agent can operate a browser, its action boundary expands dramatically,” Wu added. “That opens up many real-world applications.”
Open source was another major focus at the event.
Hunyuan’s 3D model has already been downloaded more than 1.6 million times on Hugging Face. Looking ahead, Tencent plans to roll out a family of hybrid inference models spanning 0.5 to 32 billion parameters, along with a 13-billion-parameter mixture-of-experts (MoE) model designed for both enterprise and edge deployment.
Tencent also intends to open-source a suite of multimodal base models and plugins for image, video, and 3D content generation.
Hunyuan is now deeply integrated across Tencent’s product ecosystem. The models power intelligent features in platforms like WeChat, QQ, Yuanbao, Tencent Meeting, and Tencent Docs, enhancing user experiences internally while enabling businesses and developers to boost productivity through Tencent’s expanding AI toolkit.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3303284805523970">article</a> was written by Deng Yongyi for 36Kr.

Tencent doubles down on agentic AI with latest Hunyuan updates

Foundation and Large Models

… href="https://kr-asia.com/nio-unveils-skyos-envisions-ai-driven-future-for-vehicles">SkyOS operating system</a>. The upgraded Aquila “super sensing” suite includes 1,550-nanometer long-range LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and high-resolution 4D imaging radar.
This system underpins NOP+, Nio’s full-stack <a href="/industry/autonomous-vehicles">autonomous driving</a> platform, which enables seamless transitions across highways, city streets, toll booths, parking lots, and battery swap stations. Features such as long-range self-parking, remote parking, and real-time parking trajectory planning come standard.
whereRelatedArticle
Nio’s onboard AI assistant, Nomi Mate 3.0, has a 340-degree range of motion and now responds to gestures and audio cues. Enhanced with large language models, it can recommend optimized charging plans using 21 variables, including route changes and infrastructure availability.
Safety remains a key focus. The ET5 was the first vehicle to meet the Euro NCAP’s updated 2023 standards and continues to lead with a claimed 96% occupant protection score. The ET5T builds on that with added features such as rear collision mitigation, emergency pullover, tire burst mitigation, and a high-speed tire pressure monitoring system that can detect a blowout in 0.3 seconds and help stabilize the vehicle at speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour.
Deliveries for the new ET5 and ET5T will begin next week across China. Buyers will receive a launch benefit package valued at RMB 61,300 (USD 8,582), which includes a five-year battery swap plan, NOP+ subscription, extended warranty, comfort upgrades, and additional subsidies for compatible models. Existing Nio customers qualify for exclusive repurchase incentives.

Nio overhauls ET5 and ET5T with over 500 upgrades, without raising the price

Transportation

Electric Vehicles

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… like <a href="/company/netease">NetEase</a>, Mihoyo, <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a>, Midea, Sany, China Eastern Airlines, <a href="/company/gac">GAC Group</a>, Mango TV, and GoodWe.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3303442287417865">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Alibaba Cloud sees itself as global backbone for China’s tech expansion

Alibaba Cloud

Enterprise Services

Cloud Solutions

China has approved plans for building ten nuclear reactors for RMB 200 billion (USD 28 billion), putting the country on track to push its nuclear power generation capacity past the US to become the world's largest by 2030.
The plan to build the reactors was approved at a State Council executive meeting in April. Eight will be third-generation Hualong One reactors, which China's state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation and China General Nuclear Power Group claim to have independently developed based on US and French pressurized water reactors (PWR).
The remaining two reactors will be CAP1000 units based on the AP1000 PWR developed by US-based Westinghouse. The total power generation capacity of the 10 reactors is expected to reach around 12,000 megawatts.
The reactors will be built in the provinces of Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with all planned locations along the coast.
The power plants will be operated by the two nuclear energy companies, as well as such state-owned power companies as State Power Investment Corporation and China Huaneng Group.
The Chinese government has been promoting nuclear power plant construction since the 1980s, using technology from France and other countries. The disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in 2011 led to the tightening of safety measures and Beijing halting new licenses for nuclear plants.
Approval for new projects resumed in 2019 and the pace quickened to about ten reactors per year from 2022.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has made nuclear power part of his efforts to cut air pollution.
Gasoline-powered vehicles contribute to air pollution and pose risks to energy security due to oil imports. China relies on overseas sources for about 70% of the crude oil it consumes. Beijing is pushing <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicles</a> as an alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles, creating a need to secure more electricity.
The nuclear push also serves as a measure against global warming. In 2020, Xi said China would strive to make carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions before 2060.
As a result, there were 57 nuclear reactors in operation in China at the end of 2024, with a total generating capacity of 59,760 MW, according to an April report by a Chinese government-affiliated nuclear power industry group. In terms of capacity, China is third in the world after the US and France, the report said.
Generating capacity of China's nuclear power plants in 2030 will reach 110,000 MW, according to projections in the report, and that if the current construction pace around the world continues, China will overtake the US and France to become the leader.
Nuclear power accounted for 4.7% of China's power mix based on generation in 2024, according to government statistics. Conventional power generation, which mainly uses coal and other fossil fuels, remains the highest at 67.4%.
The report predicts that the proportion of nuclear power will reach 10% by 2040.
In the US, construction costs for large nuclear power plants have soared, and new construction has stagnated. A large nuclear power plant built in Georgia led to the bankruptcy of Westinghouse and heavy losses for its parent company, Toshiba.
Construction costs are also rising in Europe. In China, state-owned enterprises build plants one after another, helping to increase proficiency and curb sudden cost increases.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/China-on-track-to-become-top-nuclear-power-generator-by-2030">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 on track to become top nuclear power generator by 2030

Energy

… primarily targeted Germany and the US. But Germany is fiercely competitive, dominated by legacy players like Husqvarna and Positec. Positec alone holds 59% market share in the country. New entrants like Ninebot and Ecovacs are also rapidly gaining ground.
“Ninebot already had brand equity, so distributors in Europe and North America were reaching out to them proactively to run product tests,” Peng Li said. “For companies like mine, most of our channel partners are still Chinese.”
Whoever secures the best local partners first gains a real edge. According to Li Xian, Oasa lacked strong channel capabilities in Germany, limiting its market reach from the start.
Meanwhile, Oasa’s US ambitions were also constrained by scale. About 40% of US homes have lawns larger than 1,000 square meters, with many featuring open, uneven terrain such as wet grass and woodlands. Typical middle-class homes sit on plots between 1,300–2,000 square meters.
The R1 could only handle lawns up to 500 square meters, with a theoretical max of 1,000. In contrast, Agilex’s Luba 2 AWD and Yuka models support areas over 3,000 square meters. The Lymow One can cut 7,000 square meters per day. Yarbo M1 from Hanyang Robotics maxes out at six acres.
So in markets like the US and Europe, where big backyards are the norm, Oasa’s limited range was a clear disadvantage.
Over the past two years, lawn robotics has surged in popularity alongside pool cleaners and snow-removal bots. But the boom has also raised the stakes. Many startups are feeling the squeeze.
This isn’t the first wave of casualties. As early as 2023, the field saw companies collapse and projects shutter. Anker Innovations disbanded its mower team after failing to compete. EcoFlow’s mower didn’t meet expectations and was eventually pulled. Heisenberg Robotics went into default and was listed as a credit risk.
Oasa’s abrupt fall may be a reality check for the sector, but it’s also a sign that to review the balance between technical ambition and commercial viability. The industry may now be entering a more sober phase.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3291116922812547">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

Oasa’s robotic mower was clever, but not enough to keep the company alive

China’s secondhand market comes of age as reuse reshapes consumer priorities

<blockquote>China Recap is a weekly roundup tracking Chinese companies expanding abroad, covering market entries, funding rounds, product launches, and global partnerships.</blockquote>
China’s corporate globalization strategy is evolving fast. Industry giants are rewriting the global playbook, while a new generation of companies charts fresh paths overseas.
China Recap tracks both—focusing on strategic expansion, brand building, and localized operations—to help readers make sense of shifting trends and understand how Chinese firms are reshaping their global approach.
Here’s what made headlines last week:
China’s tech heavyweights rebound with robust Q1 results
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng</a> posted Q1 2025 revenue of about RMB 15.8 billion (USD 2.2 billion), up 141.5% year-on-year (YoY), as deliveries surged 331% to 94,008 units. Net loss narrowed to RMB 660 million (USD 92.4 million), supported by improved margins and economies of scale. Xpeng also launched its flagship X9 <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicle</a> and expanded its fast-charging network to more than 2,100 stations.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a> reported Q1 2025 net income of RMB 7.7 billion (USD 1.1 billion), up 42% YoY. Core revenue rose 7% as growth in <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a>, cloud, and <a href="/industry/autonomous-vehicles">autonomous mobility</a> solutions offset a decline in its online marketing business. The company also highlighted Apollo Go’s entry into Dubai and Abu Dhabi and the recent launch of its updated AI models, Ernie 4.5 Turbo and X1 Turbo.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="/company/bilibili">Bilibili</a> posted Q1 2025 revenue of RMB 7 billion (USD 980 million), up 24% YoY, driven by 76% growth in mobile games and a 20% rise in advertising. Gross profit rose 58% with margin reaching 36.3%. The company narrowed its net loss by 99% to RMB 10.7 million (USD 1.5 million) and reported an adjusted net profit of RMB 361.5 million (USD 50.6 million), while operating cash flow more than doubled to RMB 1.3 billion (USD 182 million).</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="/company/ant-group">Ant International</a> generated nearly USD 3 billion in revenue in 2024 and recorded its second consecutive year of adjusted profit. Headquartered in Singapore, it’s expanding across Southeast Asia through platforms such as Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst, and other cross-border financial solutions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Leapmotor reported record Q1 2025 revenue of around RMB 10 billion (USD 1.4 billion), up 187.1% YoY, as vehicle deliveries surged 162.1% to 87,552 units. Gross margin improved to 14.9%, supported by increased scale, cost controls, and a stronger product mix. Net loss narrowed to RMB 130 million (USD 18.2 million) from RMB 1.01 billion (USD 141.4 million), with cash and equivalents totaling RMB 25.7 billion (USD 3.6 billion) as of March 31.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Xiaomi positions XringO1 as Apple A18 rival</h3>
On May 22, <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> unveiled the XringO1, a ten-core chip with 19 billion transistors built on a three-nanometre process. Powering the new 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra, the chip reportedly matches Apple’s A18 Pro in performance and surpasses it in select benchmarks. The XringO1 marks a milestone in Xiaomi’s R&amp;D, backed by RMB 13.5 billion (USD 1.9 billion) over four years. —<a href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3311433/xiaomi-founder-flexes-chip-prowess-new-xring-o1-bests-apples-a18-pro-certain-tests">SCMP</a>
<h3>Alibaba Cloud details AI investment strategy</h3>
At a May 22 event, <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba Group</a> CEO Eddie Wu clarified that Alibaba Cloud’s planned RMB 380 billion (USD 53.2 billion) investment over three years will include partnerships with firms such as Midea, GAC, and China Eastern Airlines. The initiative aims to build unified global AI and cloud infrastructure, expand deployment of products like Qwen, and support Chinese firms going global with stronger compliance and services. —<a href="https://wallstreetcn.com/articles/3747604">Wallstreet CN</a>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Chang’an starts EV production in Thailand</h3>
Chang’an Automobile’s new factory in Rayong, Thailand, has begun producing EVs, with plans to scale capacity to 200,000 units annually. Targeting right-hand-drive markets such as Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, the plant will manufacture Deepal and Avatr models as part of the company’s Southeast Asia strategy. —<a href="http://cq.people.com.cn/n2/2025/0517/c365412-41230641.html">People’s Daily</a>
<h3>China, ASEAN complete FTA 3.0 talks</h3>
China and ASEAN have concluded talks on the 3.0 version of their free trade agreement, launched in 2022. The revised pact will add nine new chapters covering digital trade, green economy, supply chains, and SME cooperation, and is expected to be formally signed by the end of 2025.
<h3>Hainan Haiyao, Elken partner on Southeast Asia push</h3>
Chinese pharmaceutical firm Hainan Haiyao has partnered with Malaysia’s Elken to promote regional growth under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The collaboration will expand traditional Chinese medicine into Southeast Asia and support Hainan’s Free Trade Port (FTP) program through co-branding and joint market development. —<a href="https://36kr.com/newsflashes/3293619802261513">36Kr</a>
That wraps up this edition of China Recap. If your company is expanding internationally, we’d love to hear about your latest milestones. <a href="mailto:changweiqian@global.36kr.com">Get in touch</a> to share your story.

China Recap | Chinese tech firms post strong quarterly results as global ambitions ramp up