Author: Resham

SMIC Raises Wafer Prices As AI Demand Drives Strong Growth China’s top foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), expects artificial intelligence demand to continue supporting orders, while strong demand has prompted the company to raise prices for its most sought-after production capacity. Co-CEO Zhao Haijun said during an earnings call that SMIC increased prices after negotiations with customers in the first quarter. The company also plans to charge more for wafers processed in the third quarter. Zhao said SMIC had reached top-tier industry standards in several areas. However, he noted that a significant gap remained between industry-leading wafer prices and…

Self-Driving Minibus Begins Road Testing In Hong Kong A self-driving minibus began road testing on Wednesday on a route between Hong Kong Science Park and MTR University Station in Hong Kong. The vehicle is one of two minibuses recently approved by Hong Kong’s Transport Department for a pilot autonomous driving permit covering the test section. Minibus Begins Autonomous Driving Tests The minibus has 12 passenger seats and carries the Transport Department’s pilot autonomous vehicle label. The label allows other road users to identify the vehicle during testing. The minibus follows a planned route continuously while operating autonomously. It automatically yields…

South Korea Unveils Seven-Project Technology Strategy South Korea unveiled an ambitious technology strategy on Wednesday as it seeks to develop new engines of economic growth beyond semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The “Seven Major SEED” initiative brings together seven projects spanning nuclear energy, quantum technology, space, biotechnology and other emerging fields. President Lee Jae Myung chaired the Blue House meeting where officials announced the strategy. The plan sets long-term targets for technologies that South Korea sees as important to future economic growth and national competitiveness. Seven Strategic Technology Projects The initiative covers small modular reactors, fusion energy, next-generation renewable energy, quantum…

Apple Enables Qwen AI Integration With Siri On Macs In China Apple has published a guide explaining how eligible Mac users in mainland China can connect Alibaba’s Qwen artificial intelligence service to the company’s Siri digital assistant and Writing Tools feature. The Mac-specific arrangement could help Apple compete in China’s AI PC market. The company has been losing market share as domestic manufacturers such as Lenovo promote locally developed AI features. Qwen Expands Apple’s AI Capabilities Qwen is Alibaba’s family of generative AI models. The technology can create text and images, as well as analyse documents, photos and other material…

Landspace Targets Aug. 10 For Historic Rocket Launch And Landing Attempt Chinese commercial launch company Landspace is preparing for a second attempt to launch and recover an orbital rocket, targeting Aug. 10 for a mission that could mark a major step in China’s reusable rocket programme. The company’s first Zhuque-3 rocket launched in December 2025. Its second stage successfully reached orbit, but the first stage exploded during its final powered descent towards the landing pad. Now, Landspace is preparing to try again, with airspace closure notices indicating a planned launch from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone at the…

China Launches Cybersecurity Review of Palo Alto Networks Products China has launched a cybersecurity review of products sold by U.S.-based cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks, marking another step in Beijing’s tightening oversight of foreign technology suppliers operating in the country. The announcement, made by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Thursday, comes as trade and technology tensions between China and the United States continue to shape regulatory decisions affecting global businesses. The regulator said the review focuses on risks linked to critical information infrastructure and national security. However, it did not specify which Palo Alto Networks products are under…

China Expands High-Altitude Drone Testing Facilities in Tibet China has established specialised high-altitude drone testing and research facilities in Tibet during 2025 and 2026, strengthening its capability to develop and evaluate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in some of the world’s most demanding operating conditions. The new facilities include a high-altitude unmanned equipment testing base in Ngari and the Plateau Drone R&D Application Centre at Xizang University. Both sites are located on the Tibetan Plateau, where low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather provide a challenging environment for testing drone technologies. The extreme conditions allow researchers to…

China Plans 1,000 Computing Satellites to Expand Global AI Infrastructure by 2032 China aims to deploy 1,000 general-purpose computing satellites by 2032 as part of a long-term strategy to make artificial intelligence as widely available as water and electricity, according to a leading Chinese expert. The proposal reflects the country’s growing focus on space-based computing, which has become one of the most closely watched areas in the global AI industry. Space computing has emerged as one of the fastest-growing topics in artificial intelligence. As demand for advanced computing continues to increase, researchers are exploring new ways to deliver greater processing…

Shenzhou-21 Astronauts Reflect on Record-Breaking 210-Day Space Mission The three astronauts from China’s Shenzhou-21 crewed mission met the media in Beijing on Wednesday, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in late May. The crew reflected on their record-breaking mission, highlighting scientific achievements, operational challenges and several historic milestones in China’s crewed space programme. Mission commander Zhang Lu, along with crew members Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, appeared in good spirits as they shared their experiences and answered questions from reporters following their return. The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China…

Taiwan Investigates Chinese Firms Over Illegal Tech Recruitment Taiwan has intensified its efforts to protect its high-tech industries after authorities launched a major investigation into Chinese companies suspected of illegally recruiting skilled workers. The latest enforcement action reflects growing concerns over attempts to attract semiconductor and other technology talent from the island, which remains a global leader in chip manufacturing. Taiwan’s government said on Wednesday that investigators searched dozens of locations and interviewed more than 100 people as part of an investigation into 17 Chinese companies suspected of unlawfully recruiting semiconductor and other high-tech professionals. Large-Scale Investigation Launched Taiwan’s Ministry…