TOPIC

/ company

Amap

Amap, a leading Chinese technology company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, specialises in digital mapping, navigation, and ride-hailing services. Headquartered in Beijing, China, it provides a comprehensive platform offering real-time traffic, public transport guidance, and integrated local lifestyle services. Amap primarily serves the vast Chinese market, including daily commuters and travellers, and has expanded its reach to international users within China and Chinese users globally. Notable for achieving over 280 million peak daily active users, Amap is a dominant player in China’s location-based services market, focusing on technological innovation and ecosystem integration.

Jack Ma and Alibaba executives gather at the rice-planting team-building event. Photo: Handout

Artificial intelligence

Hard work and endurance: what Alibaba’s team-building says about its AI drive

Jack Ma and executives plant rice seedlings in a symbolic retreat signalling resilience as Alibaba doubles down on AI.

23 Jun 2026 - 10:40AM

Hong Kong transport

Chinese ride-hailing giants back Hong Kong plan to cap permits at 10,000

22 Jun 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Where will ride-hailing data go? Hong Kong eyes national security compliance

15 Jun 2026 - 7:38PM

Hong Kong transport

Uber survey finds 90% of passengers deem 10,000-permit cap ‘very insufficient’

Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework.

11 Jun 2026 - 7:09PM

A survey by Uber found strong concern among passengers and drivers over Hong Kong’s proposed permit cap. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong rules out favouring existing ride-hailing platform drivers for permits

Transport minister Mable Chan also reiterates 10,000 quota is prudent approach despite pressure from lawmakers for timetable to review cap.

8 Jun 2026 - 9:50PM

Hong Kong transport

Ride-hailing cap of 10,000 ‘prudent’ start for Hong Kong, transport chief says

Mable Chan says government will dynamically adjust quota based on operational data, but she stops short of setting time frame for review.

27 May 2026 - 8:57PM

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong sets ride-hailing permit cap at 10,000 under regulatory push

Applicants who have owned private car for certain period likely to be given priority under new regime.

26 May 2026 - 10:24PM

Hong Kong has taken steps to tackle the ride-hailing market’s regulatory vacuum. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong transport

Ride-hailing licence cap ‘must strike a balance’ in Hong Kong, John Lee says

Chief Executive says unique local conditions and passenger experience will determine city’s ride-hailing cap.

19 May 2026 - 5:39PM

Hong Kong transport

‘Several thousand’ ride-hailing licences won’t cover demand, advisory panel says

Transport Advisory Committee chairman says he expects initial level to be ‘somewhere around 10,000’ vehicle licences.

18 May 2026 - 8:46PM

Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Ride-hailing regulation must keep customers and operators in mind

Whatever cap the government sets on ride-hailing vehicles, it can adjust the number if it proves too cautious to meet user demand.

14 May 2026 - 6:45AM

An Uber taxi in Wong Tai Sin in 2025. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong transport

Uber Hong Kong warns proposed permit cap risks triggering 70% rise in fares

Platform argues cap of up to 15,000 fails to account for rising demand, as minister says authorities yet to have preference for specific figure.

12 May 2026 - 9:37PM

Uber also warned that the cap could result in 40 per cent of peak-hour bookings being unsuccessful. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong transport

How many ride-hailing permits should Hong Kong allow? It depends on who you ask

Both taxi industry leaders and Uber sound alarm over government’s latest step towards regulating service, even before final quota is decided.

12 May 2026 - 9:51PM

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong authorities to set cap on ride-hailing vehicles ahead of Legco break

Platform operators could also face up to HK$1 million fine and 12 months in jail for failing to comply with coming regulatory regime.

18 May 2026 - 6:04PM

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba opens Qwen app to partners with China Eastern Airlines tie-up

Company pledges more partnerships to expand the agentic capabilities of its flagship consumer chatbot app.

23 Apr 2026 - 11:12AM

A China Eastern Airlines flight takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Photo: Xinhua

Robotics

Chinese tech giants advance robotics push as sector sees rapid growth

From marathon-winning humanoids to potential robot guide dogs, tech firms showcase breakthroughs as Beijing backs robotics as growth driver.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Team members celebrate next to Honor’s Lightning humanoid robot. Photo: Reuters

Artificial intelligence

China’s AI world model edge: abundant data and faster deployment, executive says

China’s strong industrial base, abundance of factory data give its world models a decisive push, says executive from leading start-up GigaAI.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

Hong Kong transport

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

31 Mar 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

Tourism

How Chongqing in China offers an enthralling ‘8D’ experience like nothing else

With its vertical landscape, vibrant food scene and captivating chaos, the Chinese city of Chongqing is certain to catch you unprepared.

24 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street in Chongqing bursts into neon splendour at night, with Hongya Cave - a sprawling “stilt building” complex that is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions - glowing against the Chinese city’s skyscrapers. Photo: Evian Yu

E-commerce

China calls on delivery, ride-hailing firms to respect gig-worker rights

Meituan, Alibaba, Didi Chuxing among 16 firms summoned for guidance session on rights of country’s more than 200 million gig workers.

10 Feb 2026 - 4:24PM

Hong Kong courts

Ex-PLA soldier jailed for 8 months over illegal ride-hailing trips in Hong Kong

Magistrate rejects defendant’s explanation that he was struggling financially to support family, saying his problems were ‘self-induced’.

26 Jan 2026 - 6:24PM

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba’s upgraded Qwen chatbot app receives warm consumer reception

Qwen’s upgrade transforms the chatbot into a virtual ‘life assistant’, making lives easier for hundreds of millions of consumers.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:45PM

Qwen’s AI app aims to help people get things done in everyday scenarios, according to Alibaba. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong courts

Ex-PLA soldier remanded in Hong Kong for offering illegal ride-hailing services

Zeng Yulin, 39, earned more than HK$73,000 in two months by providing paid rides in his Tesla Model S sedan.

8 Jan 2026 - 11:44PM

Mainland resident Zeng Yulin, who says he was a former squad leader of the People’s Liberation Army, leaves Fanling Court after securing bail in a hearing in October 2025. Photo: Brian Wong

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba’s Amap rolls out AI-powered 3D virtual tours for offline destinations

Flying Street View feature offers virtual tours of restaurants and venues as platform nears 1 billion monthly users.

7 Jan 2026 - 10:00AM

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Amap muscles up on ‘world models’ in push beyond text-based AI

Alibaba’s mapping arm Amap is pushing into ‘world models’ with FantasyWorld, betting spatial AI can power navigation and new services.

6 Jan 2026 - 9:00PM

Alibaba

Alibaba deepens ecosystem with Qwen-Amap tie-up for routes, restaurants and more

The integration marks Alibaba’s first full tie-in for Qwen, as the company pushes for more synergy across its sprawling consumer platforms.

18 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Amap has become the first Alibaba ecosystem service to be fully integrated with its Qwen app. Photo: Handout

Artificial intelligence

ByteDance dominates China’s tech hiring as AI talent demand surges

ByteDance tops rivals Meituan and Alibaba in recruitments this year, according to professional social networking platform Maimai.

16 Dec 2025 - 7:00AMvideocam

ByteDance is the leading recruiter of tech talent in mainland China this year. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

E-commerce

JD.com steps up on-demand local services battle with food app and review platform

The e-commerce giant is betting on food delivery and an anti-fake review platform to sharpen its challenge to leaders Meituan and Alibaba.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:00PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s Xpeng touts driverless cars with Alibaba’s Amap to take on Tesla

Company promises three robotaxi models, a humanoid robot and flying cars leveraging a new vision-based AI model.

5 Nov 2025 - 7:24PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Amap

Hard work and endurance: what Alibaba’s team-building says about its AI drive

Jack Ma and executives plant rice seedlings in a symbolic retreat signalling resilience as Alibaba doubles down on AI.

Chinese ride-hailing giants back Hong Kong plan to cap permits at 10,000

Where will ride-hailing data go? Hong Kong eyes national security compliance

Uber survey finds 90% of passengers deem 10,000-permit cap ‘very insufficient’

Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework.

Hong Kong rules out favouring existing ride-hailing platform drivers for permits

Transport minister Mable Chan also reiterates 10,000 quota is prudent approach despite pressure from lawmakers for timetable to review cap.

Ride-hailing cap of 10,000 ‘prudent’ start for Hong Kong, transport chief says

Mable Chan says government will dynamically adjust quota based on operational data, but she stops short of setting time frame for review.

Hong Kong sets ride-hailing permit cap at 10,000 under regulatory push

Applicants who have owned private car for certain period likely to be given priority under new regime.

Ride-hailing licence cap ‘must strike a balance’ in Hong Kong, John Lee says

Chief Executive says unique local conditions and passenger experience will determine city’s ride-hailing cap.

‘Several thousand’ ride-hailing licences won’t cover demand, advisory panel says

Transport Advisory Committee chairman says he expects initial level to be ‘somewhere around 10,000’ vehicle licences.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Ride-hailing regulation must keep customers and operators in mind

Whatever cap the government sets on ride-hailing vehicles, it can adjust the number if it proves too cautious to meet user demand.

Uber Hong Kong warns proposed permit cap risks triggering 70% rise in fares

Platform argues cap of up to 15,000 fails to account for rising demand, as minister says authorities yet to have preference for specific figure.

How many ride-hailing permits should Hong Kong allow? It depends on who you ask

Both taxi industry leaders and Uber sound alarm over government’s latest step towards regulating service, even before final quota is decided.

Hong Kong authorities to set cap on ride-hailing vehicles ahead of Legco break

Platform operators could also face up to HK$1 million fine and 12 months in jail for failing to comply with coming regulatory regime.

Alibaba opens Qwen app to partners with China Eastern Airlines tie-up

Company pledges more partnerships to expand the agentic capabilities of its flagship consumer chatbot app.

Chinese tech giants advance robotics push as sector sees rapid growth

From marathon-winning humanoids to potential robot guide dogs, tech firms showcase breakthroughs as Beijing backs robotics as growth driver.

China’s AI world model edge: abundant data and faster deployment, executive says

China’s strong industrial base, abundance of factory data give its world models a decisive push, says executive from leading start-up GigaAI.

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

How Chongqing in China offers an enthralling ‘8D’ experience like nothing else

With its vertical landscape, vibrant food scene and captivating chaos, the Chinese city of Chongqing is certain to catch you unprepared.

China calls on delivery, ride-hailing firms to respect gig-worker rights

Meituan, Alibaba, Didi Chuxing among 16 firms summoned for guidance session on rights of country’s more than 200 million gig workers.

Ex-PLA soldier jailed for 8 months over illegal ride-hailing trips in Hong Kong

Magistrate rejects defendant’s explanation that he was struggling financially to support family, saying his problems were ‘self-induced’.

Alibaba’s upgraded Qwen chatbot app receives warm consumer reception

Qwen’s upgrade transforms the chatbot into a virtual ‘life assistant’, making lives easier for hundreds of millions of consumers.

Ex-PLA soldier remanded in Hong Kong for offering illegal ride-hailing services

Zeng Yulin, 39, earned more than HK$73,000 in two months by providing paid rides in his Tesla Model S sedan.

Alibaba’s Amap rolls out AI-powered 3D virtual tours for offline destinations

Flying Street View feature offers virtual tours of restaurants and venues as platform nears 1 billion monthly users.

Alibaba’s Amap muscles up on ‘world models’ in push beyond text-based AI

Alibaba’s mapping arm Amap is pushing into ‘world models’ with FantasyWorld, betting spatial AI can power navigation and new services.

Alibaba deepens ecosystem with Qwen-Amap tie-up for routes, restaurants and more

The integration marks Alibaba’s first full tie-in for Qwen, as the company pushes for more synergy across its sprawling consumer platforms.

ByteDance dominates China’s tech hiring as AI talent demand surges

ByteDance tops rivals Meituan and Alibaba in recruitments this year, according to professional social networking platform Maimai.

JD.com steps up on-demand local services battle with food app and review platform

The e-commerce giant is betting on food delivery and an anti-fake review platform to sharpen its challenge to leaders Meituan and Alibaba.

China’s Xpeng touts driverless cars with Alibaba’s Amap to take on Tesla

Company promises three robotaxi models, a humanoid robot and flying cars leveraging a new vision-based AI model.

Editorial | Ride-hailing regulation must keep customers and operators in mind