China Future Tech

China Future Tech

Key Industries:
EVs
AI
Semiconductors
Aerospace
Robotics
Biomedicine
Live Q&A webinars

As China bets on tech and innovation to drive its growth, it has placed its chips on several industrial sectors that are expected to play increasingly important roles in development and trade, which will bring fresh opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. SCMP’s China Future Tech is your go-to destination for the latest news, insights, and opinions on these select industries. Explore in-depth coverage of EVs, AI, semiconductors, aerospace, robotics and biomedicine sectors. Follow us to stay ahead in China's evolving competitive landscape.

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

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Chinese smart eyewear makers shine at CES with focus on challenging Meta

Chinese firms, led by AgiBot, outpace US rivals in 2025 humanoid robot shipments

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Tech Trends

MiniMax and Zhipu’s stellar Hong Kong IPOs supercharge China’s AI ambitions

Zhipu’s coding assistant is wooing subscribers with a monthly fee of about US$3, a fraction of what Anthropic charges for Claude.

MiniMax became a darling of investors with its gain of 80 per cent when the stock debuted on Friday. Photo: Shutterstock Images
MiniMax became a darling of investors with its gain of 80 per cent when the stock debuted on Friday. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Tech Trends

Chinese robot vacuum maker Dreame sees AI-driven appliances run household chores

The firm’s ambition is to become a ‘world-class technology company’, global president Chang Xinwei says.

China Business

Shanghai steps up oversight of delayed payment practices hurting suppliers

Task force set up to protect supply-chain vendors and stabilise manufacturing amid fierce price wars.

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Tech Trends

Core team of Chinese researchers behind AI model R1 remains intact: DeepSeek

The 18 core scientists behind R1 continue to power the start-up’s AI ambitions and capabilities amid growing anticipation of a new release.

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The updated technical paper of DeepSeek’s R1 development shows the start-up retained all 18 scientists behind the much-acclaimed AI model. Photo: Shutterstock
The updated technical paper of DeepSeek’s R1 development shows the start-up retained all 18 scientists behind the much-acclaimed AI model. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & Finance

TCM firms eye Hong Kong IPOs to fuel global expansion

Over the past year, 34 innovation and technology, life and health science companies set up or expanded their operations in Hong Kong.

Tech War

China semiconductor expert suggests vigilance in buying Nvidia’s H200 AI chips

The US has an inconsistent stance on advanced chips, alternating between limited easing and renewed pressure, Wei Shaojun says.

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China Economy

China seeks ‘safe and reliable’ AI supply as global tech race heats up

Special action plan to promote application of three to five large AI models in manufacturing sector.

A woman walks past a sign reading “AI” at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, in November. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

DeepSeek to customise namesake chatbot for Italian users following probe

The firm agrees to a package of commitments, including tackling AI model ‘hallucination’ issues, with the Italian Competition Authority.

The Italian Competition Authority praised DeepSeek for committing to lower the hallucination rate of its AI models through technical fixes. Photo: Shutterstock
The Italian Competition Authority praised DeepSeek for committing to lower the hallucination rate of its AI models through technical fixes. Photo: Shutterstock

China Business

Chinese biotechs strike a record US$136 billion in out-licensing deals in 2025

Chinese drug makers signed 157 out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical firms last year versus 94 a year earlier.

China Business

Xiaomi’s refreshed SU7 turns up the heat on Tesla in China’s EV race

Updated SU7 model offers longer range – more than 900km (560 miles) on a single charge – and other advanced features.

Tech

Soaring prices, but shrinking demand as China’s memory chip market falters

China’s spot market for memory chips is surging on tight global supply, but Shenzhen vendors say sky-high quotes are scaring off buyers.

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Huaqiangbei in Shenzhen, China, is touted as the world’s biggest electronic market. Photo: Shutterstock

Big Tech

China’s top lithography bet shifts gears: SMEE sells subsidiary in key pivot

State-backed SMEE, often dubbed China’s best ASML challenger, has sold Shanghai Weiyao to AMIES in a move that prioritises tool development.

China’s state-backed lithography champion Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) has reshuffled its business. Photo: Reuters
China’s state-backed lithography champion Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) has reshuffled its business. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

China initiates anti-dumping probe against Japan over key semiconductor chemical

Beijing’s investigation targets imports of dichlorosilane from Japan, alleging dumping that harms Chinese production, amid escalating bilateral and trade tensions.

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AI

Chinese robot conducts complex operation on pig without human intervention

The robot completed 88 per cent of the steps on its first attempt, followed by real-time adjustments and corrections to finish the surgery.

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China Business

Wuxi AppTec’s upbeat business update boosts stock despite US bill

A presentation persuaded investors that risk of a potential US blacklisting is low while growth in some business areas is ‘unprecedented’.

Shares in Chinese drug research and development group Wuxi AppTec closed up 23.9 per cent on Friday, the most since its listing in 2018. Photo: Reuters
Shares in Chinese drug research and development group Wuxi AppTec closed up 23.9 per cent on Friday, the most since its listing in 2018. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

China Telecom say AI model with 1 trillion parameters trained with Chinese chips

The state-owned telecoms operator did not reveal what chips it used for its 1 trillion-parameter model, but it has a partnership with Huawei.

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Tech War

Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou back at the helm of firm ahead of next smartphone launch

In her latest tenure as rotating chairwoman, Meng is expected to oversee the launch of Huawei’s next flagship 5G smartphone series, the Mate 70.

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China Business

5 Chinese EV makers set monthly sales records as discounts draw buyers

BYD, Li Auto, Xpeng, Zeekr and Leapmotor posted new monthly delivery records in September as new models and promotions proved enticing.

Employees work on an EV production line at a Leapmotor factory in Jinhua, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, on September 18, 2024. Photo: AFP
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Oppo expects to roll out generative artificial intelligence functions to its 50 million smartphone users by the end of this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Oppo enters tech pact with top EV maker BYD, acquires AI start-up

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OPINION
Mark Andrews

Opinion | Innovation and exports will winnow China’s car industry in 2026

Mark Andrews
David Tingxuan Zhang

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

David Tingxuan Zhang
Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Protection of vulnerable workers must be part of China’s AI strategy

Brian Y. S. Wong
Zhang Zhipeng

Opinion | Why the Global South is embracing Chinese AI

Zhang Zhipeng
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Hamzah Rifaat

Opinion | Does AI’s rise have to mean job losses? East Asia tells a different story

Hamzah Rifaat
Kamala Thiagarajan

Opinion | How China engineered the rapid rise of its drug innovation industry

Kamala Thiagarajan
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