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… China. "We need to change the dependency rate, because it is too high," an official from Japan's industry ministry told Nikkei Asia. But "companies cannot go in [and invest in projects outside of China] because the cost is high and the demand is not increasing."
Even ongoing projects face an uncertain future.
"We need support from the government and we need understanding from the customers [about higher prices] and our effort to reduce costs," said Tatsuya Murakami, deputy manager of Sojitz's fluorine business development section. "We are trying to make it work through all these factors."
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/Japan-South-Korea-struggle-to-reduce-reliance-on-China-tech-materials" 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>.

Japan, South Korea struggle to reduce reliance on China tech materials

Deep Tech

Semiconductors

Japan

Korea

China

… alternative approaches.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3073398098015105">article</a> was written by Yong Yi for 36Kr.

As chatbots fall short, ByteDance bets on Dreamina as the “TikTok of the AI era”

Bytedance

China Tech

Artificial intelligence

… published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3053103540539783">article</a> was written by Zhou Xinyu for 36Kr.

Is Luma AI’s Dream Machine a worthy contender to OpenAI’s Sora?

… prioritizing passenger and cargo space to ensure practicality and comfort during family outings. Xiaomi’s first vehicle, the SU7, faced criticism for its spatial constraints due to its elongated front and fastback design. The rear cabin had limited headroom—barely a fist’s width—and standard legroom of 825 mm, shortcomings that left the mid-to-large sedan falling short for family users. Sharing the same platform, the YU7 may encounter similar limitations.
That said, Xiaomi’s experience with the SU7 provides an opportunity to refine the YU7. However, competitors have already made significant progress in addressing space concerns, especially in second-row seating.
For instance, Tesla’s Model Y has enhanced rear seat comfort in previous updates, while the recently launched midsize SUV <a href="https://kr-asia.com/nio-launches-the-onvo-l60-suv-throwing-down-gauntlet-to-teslas-model-y">Onvo L60</a>, though smaller than the YU7, boasts 860 mm of second-row legroom. Nio’s Onvo is also set to release a larger five-seat SUV next year that will directly compete with the YU7.
In terms of space and comfort, Xiaomi has yet to establish a clear advantage. For family users, these factors often outweigh other considerations. If the YU7 relies solely on aesthetics and brand recognition, it risks cannibalizing the SU7’s customer base instead of broadening Xiaomi’s market reach.
The YU7 will likely secure orders from Xiaomi’s loyal user base, but achieving widespread success will require more than brand loyalty. It must appeal to practical needs and deliver innovations that resonate with a broader audience. To stand out, Xiaomi may need to address interior space optimization, competitive pricing, or introduce novel features that fill unmet consumer needs. Leveraging Xiaomi’s ecosystem to create a distinctive user experience could also provide an edge.
Ultimately, Xiaomi must craft a compelling product tailored to family users, a challenge that aligns with the innovative and enterprising vision of Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder. By extension, the success of the YU7 will hinge on Xiaomi’s ability to translate these strengths into concrete market advantages.
<figure id="attachment_31224" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31224" style="width: 1000px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-31224 size-full" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Lei-Jun-M-Size-7.jpg" alt="Photo of Lei Jun, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi." width="1000" height="665" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Lei-Jun-M-Size-7.jpg 1000w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Lei-Jun-M-Size-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Lei-Jun-M-Size-7-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31224" class="wp-caption-text">Founder Lei Jun has been a <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xiaomi-ceo-lei-jun-expresses-unwavering-confidence-in-victory-at-su7-launch">key proponent</a> of Xiaomi’s move into automaking. Photo of Lei Jun, from KrASIA’s archive.</figcaption></figure>
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3072551330476928">article</a> was written by Xu Caiyu for 36Kr.

Xiaomi’s new YU7: Can it stand up to Tesla’s Model Y?

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

… href="https://36kr.com/p/3071430459060869">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nedplusar.com/">NED+AR</a>, a display optics innovator, has secured over RMB 100 million in a Series C funding round. Hefei Construction Investment Holding, Baohe Venture Capital, and the Beijing New Materials Industry Investment Fund were among the investors. The funds will be directed toward developing extended reality (XR) displays and vision-safe optical technologies. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3072501328441989">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://merchipmicro.com/">Merchip</a>, a developer of reconfigurable digital power management chips, has bagged an eight-figure RMB sum in its latest funding round. Yuqiaohe Investment and Suzhou High-tech Science and Technology Innovation Fund participated. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3064341169104001">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Planck Semicon Technology, a semiconductor inspection equipment provider, has completed its pre-Series A funding round, raising an eight-figure RMB sum. Guozhong Capital was the sole investor. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3071415259673479">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lifengas.com/">LifenGas</a>, a high-tech gas separation and supply solutions firm, has raised a nine-figure RMB sum in a funding round led by a Chinese state-owned venture capital fund. The company will use the proceeds to enhance its product offerings and scale operations internationally. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3071645231264643">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.v-1.com/">V1</a>, an advanced manufacturing company focused on AI and precision automotive molds, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in funding. The round was supported by Redpepper Capital and overseas industrial investors. V1 will use the funds to expand its global operations and support US IPO preparations. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3071521395176069">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ldcems.com/">IDCEMS</a>, a semiconductor storage and cloud computing firm, has secured tens of millions of RMB in a pre-Series A funding round. Matrix Partners and CICC Capital participated. The funds will be allocated toward market expansion, R&amp;D, and supply chain upgrades. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3071121014977415">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Omni HR, Kamereo, Luma AI, and more made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.omnihr.co/">Omni HR</a>, a Singapore-based human resources management platform, secured USD 7.4 million in a funding round led by Picus Capital, with participation from Alpha JWC Ventures, January Capital, and Ratio Ventures.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kamereo, a Vietnam-based B2B food sourcing platform, reportedly secured USD 7.8 million in Series B funding from Sumitomo Corporation, Inspire, SMBC Venture Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, and Reazon Holdings.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Luma AI, a Silicon Valley-based developer of visual artificial intelligence technologies, reportedly landed USD 90 million in its latest funding round. The round featured participation from Amazon, AMD, Factorial Funds, LDV Capital, and existing investors a16z, Amplify Partners, and Matrix Partners.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.
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Deals in brief: Carro and CarDekho SEA secure funding, Longbridge bets on lifetime commission-free trading with over USD 100 million raised, nine China deals, and more

Southeast Asia

Venture Capital

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Singapore

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… directly into TCL hardware to further reduce the app’s footprint.
whereRelatedArticle
While BrowseHere initially benefited from TCL’s market presence, it now boasts over 70% of users from non-TCL devices like Xiaomi and Hisense. Its free access and small size are major attractions for LATAM users, who often download the app independently from online forums.
With a rapidly expanding user base, LATAM users remain BrowseHere’s largest demographic. To better meet their needs, the company plans to introduce features like shared bookmarks, enabling users to exchange book and music lists online.
While China’s smart TV market has reached saturation, the iterative demand in emerging markets ensures that applications like BrowseHere continue to explore new opportunities abroad.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3014479001806343">article</a> was written by Hu Yiting for 36Kr.

Smart TVs are booming in LATAM, and TCL’s BrowseHere is cashing in

Entertainment

Creative

Content

LATAM

… with challenges beyond its control.
We always thought Brite would be perfect for a domestic listing, given the strength of China’s semiconductor industry. But that perspective was predicated on the assumption that Brite would be part of a rising global chip industry. Nobody could have predicted the trade wars. Brite was even swept up into geopolitical tensions after a US media report drew attention to its relationship with minority shareholder SMIC, which is on the US Entity List. Gobi chose to keep faith with Brite’s ability to withstand the turmoil.
While Brite was unable to expand into the US market because of export controls, it did very well by serving Chinese companies who couldn’t buy from the US anymore. As with Synagistics’ de-SPAC, Gobi worked with Brite on the details of its IPO, including identifying top candidates for a CFO.
Like Mize, Brite is another example of how value creation is, at times, simply about being patient. Having worked with Brite for 16 years, it finally went public in March this year.
<h3>The value of service</h3>
Value creation may have begun evolving before the decline in exits, but the current environment gives VCs a chance to step back and reassess just how adaptable their strategies are. As Gobi guided Brite, Mize, and Synagistics toward exits this past year, it became clear that value creation isn’t just about maximizing returns—it’s also about service.
As VCs, our role is to serve startups in whatever way they need. Sometimes this means diving deep into their business by serving on boards, sourcing important hires from our network, or providing financial oversight. Other times, it means stepping back to give them the freedom to execute strategies we might not necessarily agree with but know are right for them. More often than not, it simply requires patience.
Value creation isn’t just beneficial to startups—it’s also a magnet for deal flow. Founders today are more discerning about whose money they accept, even in challenging environments. They do thorough research, scrutinize VC networks, and examine how well past portfolio companies have performed. Ultimately, they’re the ones who decide you bring real value to their cap table.
Update: This article has been revised to clarify that the USD 350 million generated by Gobi Partners from three exits over the past year reflects an over twentyfold return on investment, based on share prices as of December 11. The initial version did not specify the basis for the return calculation.
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Three exits in a year: Unpacking Gobi Partners’ value creation strategy

Gobi Partners

Malaysia

Thailand

Vietnam

… uploaded. Image source: 36Kr.</figcaption></figure>
Once the initial video is generated, users can further refine it using the remix tool. This feature allows for modifications such as replacing a mammoth with a robot or altering a character’s expression. To accommodate varying levels of adjustment, Sora offers three intensity settings: subtle, light, and strong, enabling users to tailor the changes to their specific needs.
<figure id="attachment_151072" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151072" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-151072" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OpenAI-Sora-Subject-Replacement.gif" alt="Sora includes a remix tool that allows users to make precise changes to objects and subjects in generated videos. GIF demonstrates a transition from mammoths in a desert setting to mechanized robots." width="480" height="270" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151072" class="wp-caption-text">Sora includes a remix tool that allows users to make precise changes to objects and subjects in generated videos. GIF demonstrates a transition from mammoths in a desert setting to mechanized robots. Graphic source: 36Kr.</figcaption></figure>
If users are satisfied with specific parts of a generated video, they can use the recut tool to extract and expand those segments with new instructions, effectively creating entirely new videos. Sora also includes a loop feature for infinite playback with smooth transitions and an advanced blend feature for seamlessly merging distinct scenes.
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>More than a pool: A pathway to AGI</h3>
In February, OpenAI introduced the first-generation Sora, capable of generating high-definition videos up to one minute long from user prompts. After ten months of closed beta testing with select visual artists, designers, and filmmakers, Sora has officially launched. Hours before the live event, OpenAI unveiled a demo video of Sora Turbo.
During Sora’s beta phase, Chinese competitors such as Kuaishou’s <a href="https://kr-asia.com/kuaishous-kling-ai-video-generator-launches-globally-to-challenge-openais-sora">Kling AI</a>, ByteDance’s Dreamina (also known as Jimeng AI), and MiniMax’s <a href="https://kr-asia.com/minimaxs-hailuo-ai-text-to-video-generator-how-does-it-stack-up">Hailuo AI</a> gained international recognition. According to analytics platform Similarweb, Kling AI received 9.4 million global visits in November, surpassing Runway’s 7.1 million. Following the release of the Sora Turbo demo, many users commented on the parallels between its outputs and those of Chinese counterparts.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that updates to Sora were slower than expected, citing the need to ensure model safety and scale computational resources. To address these challenges, OpenAI has reportedly partnered with semiconductor firm Broadcom to develop AI chips, anticipated for launch as early as 2026.
OpenAI views Sora as a significant milestone toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). During the launch event, Altman emphasized the importance of enabling AI to understand and generate video, describing it as a transformative step for human-computer interaction and a critical component of AGI development.
Reactions to this vision have been mixed. Jiang Daxin, co-founder and CEO of StepFun, commended OpenAI for advancing multimodal generative capabilities, aligning with similar AGI research paths. Conversely, Meta’s chief AI scientist Yann LeCun criticized the approach, arguing that simulating the world through pixel generation is resource-intensive and ultimately impractical.
Altman has indicated that the first applications of AGI could appear as early as 2025, enabling AI to tackle complex tasks across diverse tools. While he expects the initial impact of AGI to be modest, he anticipates its influence will eventually exceed public expectations, driving profound transformations with each technological leap.
As Sora’s adoption grows, its contributions to OpenAI’s AGI ambitions are likely to expand, positioning the company closer to its ultimate goal of redefining human-computer interaction through advanced AI capabilities.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3072128683258755">article</a> was written by Tian Zhe for 36Kr.

OpenAI’s Sora is finally here, with a Turbo version to boot

OpenAI

Artificial Intelligence

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