Author: Resham

Xpeng Targets Flying Cars And Robots In Future Expansion Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has outlined ambitious plans to expand beyond traditional automotive manufacturing, with large-scale production of flying cars expected to begin next year. The company also aims to start mass production of humanoid robots in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to President Brian Gu. These initiatives reflect Xpeng’s broader strategy to position itself at the forefront of next-generation mobility and automation technologies. The company has already secured more than 7,000 orders for its flying cars, with most demand originating in China as it works towards regulatory approval.…

Chinese Carmakers Target German Premium Market China’s automakers are rapidly shifting strategy, signalling a direct challenge to established German premium brands as they expand into the high-end vehicle segment. After years of focusing on cost-efficient electric vehicles, domestic manufacturers are now introducing feature-rich premium models at significantly lower prices than their European counterparts. This transition marks a turning point for the automotive industry, which has recently been dominated by an intense electric vehicle price war. Now, competition is evolving into a broader contest centred on value, innovation, and advanced features. Shift From Price War To Value Competition Chinese manufacturers such…

China Amplifies Taiwan Voices in Expanding Information Campaign China is increasingly using voices from within Taiwan to influence public opinion, as part of a broader information strategy aimed at undermining the island’s government, according to officials and research data. During large-scale Chinese military drills around Taiwan in December, a parallel campaign unfolded online. A video circulated on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, featured Taiwanese opposition figure Cheng Li-wun criticising President Lai Ching-te. The clip later appeared on widely used platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, extending its reach among Taiwanese audiences. Opposition Voices Repurposed in Messaging Chinese state media have…

China Extends Shenzhou-21 Mission by One Month China’s Shenzhou-21 astronaut crew will remain in space for an additional month following a decision by the China Manned Space Engineering Office. The country’s state broadcaster reported the extension after authorities assessed mission requirements and astronaut conditions. The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft launched on October 31 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. It travelled aboard a Long March-2F rocket, carrying three astronauts assigned to a mission originally scheduled to last six months. The crew includes Zhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei, and Commander Zhang Lu. Wu Fei is recognised as the youngest Chinese astronaut…

China has unveiled an ambitious action plan to build a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) literacy system spanning all levels of education and lifelong learning, as part of efforts to integrate AI deeply into the country’s education framework. The “AI + Education Action Plan”, jointly issued by five central government departments led by the Ministry of Education of China, aims to accelerate the popularisation of AI education, reshape teaching models, and develop a future-oriented education system, officials said at a press conference on Friday. Equal Access to AI Learning “We will build a general AI literacy system for all stages of…

Elon Musk is moving closer to his long-stated ambition of turning X into a “super app” with the launch of XChat, an encrypted messaging service already being dubbed the “Western version of WeChat” in China. The application is set to launch on April 17 on the Apple App Store, with pre-registration available to users in mainland China. XChat includes features such as end-to-end encryption, no phone number requirement, no advertising, anti-screenshot functionality, disappearing messages and integration with Grok AI. Access Barriers in China Despite pre-registration being visible to Chinese iOS users, discussions on Zhihu suggest the app will likely remain inaccessible. China’s strict platform regulations,…

YMTC Plans Major Expansion Amid Rising Trade Pressures Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) is preparing to expand its manufacturing capacity significantly, even as trade tensions between China and the United States intensify. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company intends to construct two additional factories alongside a third facility that is nearing completion. These developments reflect China’s broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign semiconductor technologies. At the same time, the United States continues to tighten restrictions aimed at limiting China’s technological progress. Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers proposed further curbs on the…

WeChat Dialect Initiative Raises Surveillance Concerns In China A recent initiative by WeChat encouraging users to record phrases in their local dialects has sparked growing concern about potential surveillance implications. The programme, presented as a way to improve voice recognition, offers small payments in exchange for recorded speech samples. Participants were asked to read everyday sentences in their native dialects. In return, they received modest compensation, typically calculated at one yuan for every three sentences recorded. Some users reportedly earned a few hundred yuan through repeated participation. Effort To Improve Voice Recognition WeChat stated that the initiative aims to enhance…

North Korea Showcases Advanced Weapons in Latest Tests North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests, including a cluster-bomb warhead mounted on a ballistic missile and an electromagnetic weapon system, according to state media. The developments signal Pyongyang’s growing focus on enhancing its ability to engage in modern warfare. The tests were carried out by the country’s Academy of Defence Science and Missile Administration. In addition to the headline systems, North Korea also trialled carbon-fibre bombs and a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system. These demonstrations reflect a broader push to diversify and modernise its conventional military capabilities. Expanding Arsenal…

The Hidden System Turning Chinese Tech Companies Into Military Suppliers In October 2022, Unitree Robotics joined a group of global firms in signing a pledge not to weaponise their machines. The Hangzhou based startup had quickly established itself as a major player in quadruped robotics. Founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing, the company focused on producing affordable robotic systems. By 2023, it controlled more than 60 percent of the global quadruped robot market by unit sales, attracting investment from prominent backers and expanding into consumer markets. However, within two years of that pledge, state media footage showed Unitree’s robotic systems…