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Science & Technology
Visitors flock to Hangzhou-based Rokid’s eye-catching exhibition booth at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. Photo: Wency Chen

Tech Trends

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

‘The rise of smart glasses is riding directly on advances in AI,’ LLVision founder and CEO Wu Fei says.

US government abandons plan to blacklist Chinese-made drones

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US seizes fifth tanker as Washington escalates bid to control Venezuela’s oil

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Diplomacy

Trump-Xi diplomacy put to test thanks to contentious tit-for-tat Covid lawsuits

Unpaid billions of dollars in judgments against China sucks US State Department into escalating legal dispute, but Beijing remains defiant.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Illustration: Brian Wang

Big Tech

Alibaba logistics unit Cainiao opens US-Mexico cross-border service

Cainiao is expected to control key nodes including sorting, line-haul transfer and last-mile delivery for the service.

Diplomacy

Chip sales to China part of US plan to build its own digital silk road: official

Jacob Helberg tells Consumer Electronics Show audience that Gulf partnerships will help to stall Chinese AI advances.

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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.

People at the CES trade show watch Dreame’s prototype Cyber X robot vacuum cleaner, the first such product designed to climb up and down an entire flight of stairs and handle multilevel cleaning. Photo: AFP
People at the CES trade show watch Dreame’s prototype Cyber X robot vacuum cleaner, the first such product designed to climb up and down an entire flight of stairs and handle multilevel cleaning. Photo: AFP

Global Economy

With US focused on Venezuela, China has window to pressure Japan: analysts

Beijing’s trade actions raise stakes with Tokyo, as China’s rare earth power and Japan’s chip dominance are seen as potentially key levers in their bilateral dispute.

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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 says US trade war, tech curbs have spurred ‘independent innovation’

In the first year of new five-year plan, party mouthpiece says list of ‘chokepoint technologies’ is narrowing.

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A Chinese flag is displayed next to a “Made in China” sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Dose of uncertainty: experts wary of AI health tech gadgets at CES trade show

Technology and health experts question the accuracy of these products and warn of data privacy issues.

People try out the Bodyfriend 733 Healthcare Robot at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. Photo: AP
People try out the Bodyfriend 733 Healthcare Robot at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. Photo: AP

China

BYD’s win, Tesla’s defeat, Ford’s pivot: the widening gap in US-China EV markets

From wavering policy to cost gaps, analysts say decades of state backing have given China a decisive edge over US rivals.

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Diplomacy

US won’t rule out pressuring Venezuela to curb China, Russia ties

White House vows continued ‘American dominance in the western hemisphere’ as Trump claims Caracas will now buy ‘only American-made’ products.

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Economy, Trade & Business

US to take control of Venezuela oil sales indefinitely after tanker seizures

Trump says Venezuela ‘stole’ US oil and vowed that proceeds from crude would be sold and controlled by him to benefit both countries.

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US forces board the M/T Sophia in the Caribbean Sea on January 7, 2026. Photo: US Department of Defence via AP

China Business

Singapore, Beijing land in top 10 of Savills’ Matcha Index of global tech cities

Even with its premium-priced matcha drinks, Singapore ranks among the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities for tech workers.

Singapore’s vibrant and rich cafe culture has made it one of the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore’s vibrant and rich cafe culture has made it one of the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers. Photo: Shutterstock

Global Economy

Chinese business owner in Venezuela warns of spillover after Maduro’s abduction

Chinese entrepreneurs have returned to South American nation in recent years, but some fear consequences after Washington’s intervention.

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United States & Canada

Nike tracksuit worn by Maduro is selling out after viral photo

Global searches for the distinctive Nike grey hoodie and joggers spike after Venezuela’s leader is pictured in US custody.

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US Elections

For lame duck Biden, an anticlimactic exit from the world stage

Outgoing US president, who will give way to Donald Trump in two months, has little to no clout at upcoming global summits.

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US President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20. Photo: AP
US President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20. Photo: AP

Politics

Exclusive | In China, fear of regime change has shaped US policy. Here’s why

For Beijing, regime security is everything and concerns about ‘hostile Western forces’ will continue, no matter who ends up in the White House.

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World

Rise of Asian-American voters in US elections — a visual explainer

Asian-Americans have emerged as a significant voter demographic in the United States. Recent polling sheds light on which candidate they may prefer in 2024.

China

‘Feeling attacked’ by Texas law threat, Chinese-Americans turn to activism

Legislation to bar Chinese citizens from buying property in the state ultimately failed, but many became politically engaged because of it.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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OPINION
Mark Purdy

Opinion | How the AI race could play out for the US, China and the world

Mark Purdy
Alex Lo

As I see it | Welcome, world, to the American jungle

Alex Lo
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Gabriela Bernal

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

Gabriela Bernal
Rob York

Opinion | US invasion of Venezuela no guarantee of hemispheric dominance

Rob York
Peiman Salehi

Opinion | Why Asia should be concerned about the US attack on Venezuela

Peiman Salehi
Alex Lo

As I see it | Monroe Doctrine 2.0 portends the end of the US empire

Alex Lo
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