China Executive Insights
Militant attacks in Mali are a reminder that fragile states can incubate extremism A framed portrait and the coffin of Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed in a militant attack, are displayed on the day of his state funeral, in Bamako, Mali, on April 30. © Reuters Farhan Bokhari is an Islamabad-based foreign correspondent who writes on Pakistan and the surrounding region.
Consumers' preference for cheap eats adds to pain of austerity law Revenue and profit at Peking duck chain Quanjude fell for a second consecutive year. (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) DALIAN, China -- Restaurants in China are struggling to make money on dine-in meals as customers choose cheaper delivery options, adding to the pressure of a government ban on expensive official dinner parties.
Net FDI doubles in 10 years as companies seek growth, holding Japanese currency down Sumitomo Forestry has decided to acquire U.S. homebuilder Tri Pointe as it sees growth overseas. (Sumitomo Forestry) TOKYO -- The yen's depreciation in recent years has not discouraged foreign investment by Japanese companies or individuals, as low interest rates at home that have not kept up with inflation and growing markets outside Japan send them looking for opportunities overseas.
Beijing able to avoid tapping strategic reserves despite disruptions in Persian Gulf An oil terminal in Texas, a state serving as a major U.S. energy export hub. Reports say 15 tankers departed the U.S. for China in April. (Photo by Ryosuke Hanafusa) BEIJING -- China is expanding its options for buying crude oil, including imports from the U.S., to leverage its energy security for an upper hand as President Donald Trump visits Beijing this week for a summit with President Xi Jinping.
Nominal move to civilian rule seen as insufficient for key members of regional bloc Myanmar's representative at last week's ASEAN summit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Hau Khan Sum, left, remained very much on the periphery of the gathering as the bloc still does not recognize the government's legitimacy. © Reuters BANGKOK -- A summit of Southeast Asian leaders that ended in the Philippines on Friday has exposed the divisions within the ASEAN regional bloc about the supposed political makeover in Myanmar, which was yet again left out in the cold from the grouping's high-level gatherings.
$3.5bn project near a fault line will disrupt river, displace communities The dam for the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Plant, 20 km upriver from the city that is Laos' premier tourist attraction, rises from the Mekong River. (All photos by Tom Vater) LUANG PRABANG, Laos -- Travelers heading to the Pak Ou caves, a major tourist attraction on the western banks of the Mekong River, 25 kilometers upriver from Luang Prabang in northern Laos, will see the construction of an enormous 1,460-megawatt hydropower dam. Earth movers and silos dot the denuded hillsides around the dam wall rising from the river. Trucks frequently cross a newly built bridge across the Mekong to deliver construction materials.
Power supply a concern amid AI boom, but Google to keep investing in city-state Singapore has emerged as a major AI data center hub in Asia. (Source photo by Akira Kodaka) PALO ALTO, California -- Singapore is expected to use nearly 20% of its national grid to power data centers in 2026, a greater share than any other nation on Earth, as the city-state cements its position as one of Asia's most important digital hubs.
World's analog semiconductor leader makes 'foundational' play in Japan, Malaysia and US Texas Instruments is the world's largest maker of analog chips, which are used for sensing, controlling, powering and connecting devices, rather than for computing activities. © Texas Instruments TAIPEI -- U.S. chip giant Texas Instruments is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, including in Japan and Malaysia, to increase in-house production of "foundational" semiconductors needed to support the booming AI infrastructure market, a senior executive told Nikkei Asia.
MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho were likely informed of decision by Bessent Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful AI model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Suzu Takahashi and Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japan's three megabanks are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful artificial intelligence model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic, as soon as the end of May, Nikkei learned Wednesday.
Seoul discussions aim for stabilization despite 'wider and wider' gaps in interests U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, center, arrives at Incheon International Airport ahead of a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, hours ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival in China. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Trade representatives from China and the U.S. are set to huddle in South Korea on Wednesday in last-minute preparations for a high-stakes summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.
AI chip leader's CEO is a last-minute addition to president's retinue Nvidia CEO is among the tech executives accompanying President Donald Trump to Beijing. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is joining U.S. President Donald Trump on his visit to China for a highly anticipated meeting between the world's two most powerful leaders, the company confirmed to Nikkei Asia on Wednesday.
Every Wednesday and Friday, TechNode’s Briefing newsletter delivers a roundup of the most important news in China tech, straight to your inbox. Your support helps TechNode continue to provide credible, on-the-ground journalism and industry insights about the Chinese tech industry. Shanghai-based Immunocan has closed a RMB250 million Series A round led by Vivo Capital, with participation from Gold Mine Multi Family Office and follow-on backing from existing investors including Kingray Capital and TigerYeah Capital. The company said the funds will be used to advance its gene-edited animal platforms, commercialize its fully human antibody rabbit platform, build an AI-driven antibody drug screening platform, and expand its team. Founded in 2020, Immunocan develops antibody discovery platforms based on gene-editing technologies. The company said it has built a multi-species platform portfolio spanning mouse, alpaca, and rabbit models, while also advancing its MabAI platform for AI-based antibody generation and characterization. Immunocan added that it is already working with multiple domestic and international pharmaceutical companies, including several top global drugmakers. [TechNode reporting]