Author: Resham

Chinese Tech Firms Surge in Hong Kong Debut as US–China Tech Rivalry Intensifies Three Chinese technology firms made strong market debuts in Hong Kong on Thursday, raising a combined HK$9.3 billion (US$1.19 billion) and underscoring Beijing’s determination to strengthen its position in the global high-tech race against the United States. All three stocks opened above their offer prices, reflecting solid investor confidence in China’s next wave of AI, semiconductor and robotics companies. Strong Openings Signal Investor Optimism Artificial intelligence developer Zhipu AI, also known as Knowledge Atlas Technology, rose 3.3% above its offer price of HK$116.20, trading at around HK$126.00.…

UK Data Watchdog Probes X Over AI-Generated Abusive Images Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has asked Elon Musk’s social media platform X to explain how it complies with UK data protection laws after reports that its built-in artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, has been generating and circulating sexually abusive images of women. The move adds to growing international pressure on X and its AI subsidiary, xAI, over the spread of non-consensual deepfake content. ICO Seeks Clarity on Data Safeguards “We have contacted X and xAI to seek clarity on the measures they have in place to comply with UK data protection…

Hyundai Motor Shares Hit Record High on Speculation of Expanded Nvidia Partnership Hyundai Motor shares surged nearly 15 percent on Wednesday to reach an all-time high, driven by growing investor speculation that the South Korean automaker could deepen its partnership with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia. The rally far outpaced the benchmark KOSPI index, which gained 1.2 percent in morning trading. Market Optimism Follows CES Developments The sharp rise in Hyundai’s stock came shortly after the company’s announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where it revealed plans to introduce Atlas humanoid robots in its factories. Hyundai said it…

BYD Overtakes Tesla as World’s Top EV Maker amid Sliding U.S. Sales Tesla has lost its position as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer to China’s BYD, after its annual sales fell for a second consecutive year. The U.S. carmaker’s decline was attributed to rising competition, the expiration of U.S. tax incentives and growing brand backlash. Tesla Faces Mounting Pressure amid Shifting Market Dynamics Global electric vehicle sales climbed 28% in 2025, with BYD surpassing Tesla in annual deliveries for the first time. The Chinese automaker’s rapid expansion in Europe, where it has been steadily gaining ground, played a key…

Kim Jong Un Oversees Hypersonic Missile Test to Bolster Nuclear Deterrent North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test firing of hypersonic missiles on Sunday, marking Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile launch of the year, state media KCNA reported. Kim said the test was part of an essential strategy to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear deterrent amid growing global instability. Pyongyang Cites Need for Strong Defence amid Global Tensions “It’s a very important strategy to maintain or expand a strong and reliable nuclear deterrent,” Kim was quoted as saying. He cited “the recent geopolitical crisis and various international circumstances” as reasons…

China Achieves Record 92 Space Launches in 2025, Eyes Ambitious New Goals China concluded 2025 with a record-breaking 92 space launches, marking a milestone year for its expanding space programme. The China National Space Administration confirmed that major strides were achieved in manned missions, deep space exploration and commercial launches, setting the stage for an even more ambitious decade ahead. Breakthroughs in Manned Space Missions Zhu Haiyang, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, announced that more than 300 satellites were successfully placed into orbit during 2025. He described the progress as a “qualitative leap” in both…

Humanoid Robots Dazzle Audiences at China’s New Year Gala Humanoid robots captivated viewers during China Media Group’s (CMG) New Year Gala on Wednesday, delivering a striking blend of technology and stage performance. The event showcased how robotics and entertainment can merge to create a futuristic celebration of art and innovation. Robots Take Centre Stage in Shanghai Performance In a segment titled “New Bot,” staged in Shanghai, humanoid robots joined singers and dancers in a coordinated display of motion and rhythm. The robots demonstrated their agility by performing backflips, playing drums, and moving precisely in sync with human performers. Their integration…

U.S. Expands Drone Restrictions, Adds DJI and Autel to National Security Risk List The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expanded its restrictions on foreign-made drones, adding China’s DJI, Autel, and all overseas drone manufacturers and components to its “Covered List.” The agency said on Monday that the decision follows a national security review that identified significant risks linked to imported drone technologies. FCC Bars Approval of New Drone Models The FCC’s ruling prevents DJI, Autel, and other foreign drone makers from obtaining approval to import or sell new drone models or critical components in the United States. Such approval…

Nexperia’s China Unit Secures Local Wafer Supply Amid Deepening Split with Dutch Parent Nexperia’s Chinese subsidiary has secured domestic sources of silicon wafers to cover all its 2026 production needs for a key type of power chip, according to an internal document seen by Reuters. The move comes after the Dutch-headquartered semiconductor maker halted wafer shipments to its Chinese unit amid a deepening corporate and political dispute. Ensuring Continuity in Chip Production The Chinese unit, which declared independence from Nexperia’s European management two months ago, will now be able to continue manufacturing Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) power chips and modules…

China’s Power Market Reforms Ignite Global Boom in Energy Storage Exports China’s overhaul of its electricity market is transforming the economics of power storage, fuelling a rapid rise in exports from the country’s dominant energy storage manufacturers. As global demand for reliable power surges, especially from renewable projects and data centres, Chinese firms are seizing the moment. According to industry estimates, Chinese manufacturers are set to record a 75% increase in global shipments of lithium-ion battery cells for energy storage this year. Combined exports of energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) batteries have already surpassed $65 billion, reinforcing China’s leadership…