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Thursday 1 October 2026
Analysis: China's AI data center buildout vaults to No. 2 as Big Tech capex races toward US$100 billion
China's rapid expansion of AI applications is driving a fresh wave of data center construction. SemiAnalysis estimates that the country has already delivered more than 24GW of data center capacity and will remain above that level by the end of 2026, making China the world's second-largest data center market after the US.
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Friday 2 October 2026
China chip talent tensions surface in Cambricon's US$4.15 billion ex-CTO dispute

Cambricon Technologies' equity dispute with former deputy general manager and chief technology officer Liang Jun has escalated sharply, with Liang raising his compensation claim from CNY4.29 billion (US$640 million) to CNY27.83 billion. The Chinese AI chipmaker said on September 30 that the revised claim, more than five times the original amount, has turned the case into one of the most closely watched executive departure disputes in China's semiconductor sector.

Friday 2 October 2026
JSR completes South Korean EUV facility as Japanese suppliers localize next-gen resists
JSR Micro Korea, the local subsidiary of Japan-based JSR, officially completed construction of a new semiconductor materials plant on September 30 in the Ochang Foreign Investment Zone in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The facility is dedicated to the production of metal oxide resist (MOR), an advanced, metal-based photoresist for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, marking JSR's first global manufacturing hub for EUV MOR, according to The Elec.
Friday 2 October 2026
FAW, GAC formalize partnership as Toyota's China joint ventures face possible overhaul
China's state-owned FAW and GAC's controlling shareholder, Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group, have signed a strategic cooperation framework that could reshape Toyota's long-standing two-joint-venture model in the country. The move reflects Beijing's push for industrial consolidation, while global automakers watch for wider implications for capacity, assets, and competition in China's fast-changing auto market.
Friday 2 October 2026
Hygon, Sugon deepen integration under one chairman after US$17.3B merger collapse

Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon Information Technology has appointed Jun Li as its new chairman following a recent board reshuffle. Li only took over as chairman of Chinese server maker Dawning Information Industry (Sugon) in May 2026, meaning he now chairs both listed companies.

Friday 2 October 2026
Samsung launches Tab S12, Buds On, SmartTag3
Samsung Electronics on October 1 unveiled its next-generation premium Galaxy Tab S12 series, its first clip-on wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On, and the Galaxy SmartTag3, which expands iOS support. The three product lines target large-screen creation and multitasking, open-ear listening, and cross-platform item finding, underscoring Samsung's push to broaden the Galaxy ecosystem through software services and accessories.
Friday 2 October 2026
Japan power semiconductor deal stalls as Rohm, Toshiba, Mitsubishi haggle
Japan's three major power semiconductor makers — Rohm Semiconductor, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi Electric — have failed to complete integration talks on the original schedule, as leadership disputes and a surge in AI demand slow the effort to boost the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturers.
Friday 2 October 2026
SK Hynix says Solidigm IPO remains undecided as AI storage demand drives investment
SK Hynix has reiterated that no decision has been made on a potential US initial public offering (IPO) or other external financing for its Solidigm subsidiary, as the company weighs investment needs driven by growing demand for AI data center storage.
Friday 2 October 2026
Samsung SDI's new LFP battery shows how AI is reshaping battery markets beyond EVs
The aggressive rollout of large-scale infrastructure projects has brought increasingly visible changes across global economies and major technology supply chains, with much of that transformation now unfolding under the expanding influence of AI.
Friday 2 October 2026
Huawei leads global smartwatch market, but earbuds reveal different competitive picture
Huawei has regained momentum across its consumer device business, but its position in the global wearables market is becoming increasingly uneven: the Chinese technology giant has taken the global smartwatch crown, while its wireless earbuds remain a more distant fourth behind Apple, Xiaomi, and Samsung Electronics.
Friday 2 October 2026
Champ-ray targets Japan drone market with power modules
Champ-Ray Industrial is stepping up efforts to expand in Japan's drone market, using a recent sponsorship tie-in with the Oita Trinita professional football team in Japan's J2 League to open deeper exchanges with the Oita Prefectural Government and local drone operators. The DC motor and ceiling fan maker said it is mapping local drone industry needs and evaluating whether to submit samples for testing as it moves toward practical cooperation.
Friday 2 October 2026
GM begins U.S. battery cell trial runs with South Korean equipment
General Motors (GM) has started trial runs at a new battery cell line in Warren, Michigan, moving into the validation stage of its next-generation mass production plan. The line at the Battery Cell Development Center (BCDC) is being built with main process equipment sourced from South Korean suppliers.
Thursday 1 October 2026
Topco opens Fukuoka office to link Japan chip hubs
Topco Scientific said its Japanese subsidiary, Shunkawa, officially opened its Fukuoka office on October 1, making it the company’s third base in Japan alongside its Tokyo headquarters and Kumamoto office. The move is designed to leverage Fukuoka’s location and industrial clustering to strengthen real-time technical support and new business development in Kyushu’s semiconductor hub.
Thursday 1 October 2026
Taiwan aligns green certifications with Japan and EPEAT to speed electronics market entry
Taiwan is moving to align its Green Mark ecolabel with international certification systems in an effort to reduce green trade barriers and shorten time to market for electronics products.
Thursday 1 October 2026
China ramps up Micro OLED capacity ahead of proven smart glasses demand
As smart glasses draw growing market attention, Chinese suppliers including BOE, SeeYA Technology and Sidtek are expanding Micro OLED production. Display industry sources caution, however, that demand for the panels remains uncertain and that capacity coming online ahead of proven demand could leave the market oversupplied.
Thursday 1 October 2026
Shinko Electric acquires JDI's Mobara Fab to expand AI packaging capacity
Shinko Electric Industries announced on September 30 it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Mobara Fab from Japan Display (JDI) in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture. The transaction is intended to establish a new core production hub dedicated to high-end semiconductor packaging, addressing surging global demand for AI accelerators and data center applications.