State-Owned Huafa Group Invests in Zhipu AI Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup Zhipu AI has secured 500 million yuan ($69.04 million) in funding from state-owned Huafa Group, further strengthening its financial backing amid Beijing’s push for AI self-sufficiency. This follows a 1 billion yuan funding round announced earlier this month, backed by Hangzhou City Investment Group Industrial Fund. Huafa Group, a Zhuhai-based state conglomerate, recently confirmed its investment in Zhipu AI, state media Zhuhai Special Economic Zone Daily reported on Thursday. The investment comes as Chinese cities compete to support AI startups, a sector that Beijing sees as critical in…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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China and Hong Kong Stocks Decline as Investors Take Profits China and Hong Kong stocks traded lower on Wednesday as consumer and tech shares faced pressure. Investors locked in profits from recent gains while assessing the impact of US tariffs. Shanghai and Hong Kong Markets Retreat At midday, the Shanghai Composite Index (.SSEC) declined 0.14% to 3,375.17 points. The blue-chip CSI300 Index (.CSI300) also fell 0.3%, with sectoral declines across the board: Consumer staples (.CSI000912) dropped 1.12% Real estate (.CSI000952) declined 0.67% Healthcare (.CSI300HC) fell 0.69% Financials (.CSI300FS) dipped 0.1% In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index (.HSI) slid 0.67%…
Beijing to Integrate AI Education in Schools Under New Three-Year Plan The Beijing Municipal Education Commission has unveiled a three-year plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) education into primary and secondary schools. This initiative aims to reform and enhance basic education using AI, equipping students with essential knowledge and skills from an early age. AI Courses to Be Introduced in Schools Starting from the upcoming fall semester, schools must allocate at least eight class hours per academic year to AI-related subjects. These courses will focus on how AI can assist students in learning, teaching, evaluation, and research. For primary school…
Several of China top universities have announced plans to increase undergraduate enrolment to support “national strategic needs” and nurture talent in key fields such as artificial intelligence (AI). This move aligns with Beijing’s broader efforts to strengthen its STEM workforce and technological capabilities. AI Education Gains Momentum in China The latest announcements follow the introduction of AI courses in Chinese universities in February, based on the AI startup DeepSeek. This company has drawn significant attention for developing AI models comparable to the most advanced in the US but at a fraction of the cost. Experts have described DeepSeek’s success as…
China’s Determination to Overcome Tech Blockades China will continue to push for technological breakthroughs, overcoming external restrictions and fostering self-reliance in innovation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday. Speaking at a press conference during the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Wang highlighted the country’s scientific achievements and its commitment to global technological leadership. China has made significant progress in fields such as 5G, quantum computing, DeepSeek, and space exploration, building on its earlier advancements in atomic bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and satellites. Wang credited generations of Chinese scientists for expanding the nation’s…
DOGE Reshapes the Federal Government US President Donald Trump is expected to highlight his administration’s aggressive federal downsizing efforts during his address to Congress on Tuesday night. A key focus will be the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. In just six weeks, DOGE has dismantled entire agencies and cut tens of thousands of jobs, a move that has sparked growing concerns among lawmakers. Critics warn of potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s leadership roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X. What Is DOGE and How Does It Operate? DOGE was established…
Second Postponement for Commercial Ariane 6 Launch The first commercially operational launch of Europe’s Ariane 6 heavy rocket has been postponed for a second time, Arianespace announced on Monday. The launch, originally scheduled for lunchtime at Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, was meant to carry a French military observation satellite into orbit. This follows an earlier delay on February 26, when a previous attempt was also called off. Arianespace cited necessary work on ground equipment linked to the rocket as the reason for Monday’s postponement. However, no new launch date has been confirmed. Ariane 6’s Development and Challenges Europe’s…
Soyuz Rocket Successfully Takes Off Russia’s Aerospace Forces launched a Soyuz rocket carrying a defence-related spacecraft, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed early on Monday (March 3). The Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, according to RIA news agency. However, no further details were provided about the mission or the spacecraft. https://youtube.com/shorts/JGMPOBJn-Yc?si=ubXFckfTV7aRoA89 Role of the Soyuz Rocket in Space Missions The rocket is widely used for various space missions. It plays a key role in carrying equipment and astronauts to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency states that the Soyuz series has completed…
U.S. Space Traffic Coordination Effort Weakened by NOAA Layoffs The Trump administration this week dismissed employees working on a critical system to manage satellite traffic, a move that weakens efforts to enhance space safety. The decision, which impacted staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), disrupts a program championed by the U.S. space industry and the former administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. Key NOAA Space Staff Dismissed About a third of the 25-person Office of Space Commerce at NOAA, which plays a crucial role in space traffic management, were abruptly let go on Thursday. Acting…
Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez to Join Historic All-Female Blue Origin Spaceflight Pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, are set to embark on a historic spaceflight aboard a Blue Origin rocket. The mission will mark the first all-female spaceflight crew in over 60 years. Blue Origin’s New Shepard to Carry Six Women to Space The all-female crew will travel aboard the New Shepard rocket, an 18-meter (59-foot) suborbital spacecraft designed for short space tourism missions. The flight will take the crew to the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.…