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Monday 12 January 2026
Chinese AI startups face 'go global or decouple' dilemma after Manus deal
China's Ministry of Commerce announced on January 8, 2026, that it supports lawful cross-border business and international technology cooperation, emphasizing that overseas investments, technology exports, data transfers, and mergers and acquisitions must comply with applicable regulations and complete required procedures. The ministry is currently reviewing Meta Platforms' acquisition of artificial intelligence (AI) startup Manus, working with other authorities to assess whether the transaction aligns with export control rules, technology import-export governance, and outbound investment regulations
LATEST STORIES
Tuesday 13 January 2026
How South Korea will revive Gwangju's advanced optical industry
South Korea's optoelectronics industry once grew rapidly with Gwangju as its center, but growth slowed under competition from China. The National Assembly of South Korea recently held a forum to discuss the current state of the photonics market, including opportunities and challenges for Gwangju, which was once a major photonics hub. As optical technologies become core infrastructure supporting AI, cloud computing, and autonomous driving, South Korea's industry is calling for Gwangju to make a transformative integration
Tuesday 13 January 2026
China's EV industry faces a state-mandated reset as energy caps take effect
As 2026 begins, China has put into force the world's first mandatory national standard governing energy consumption for electric vehicles, drawing a sharp new line for an industry that has expanded at breakneck speed for more than a decade
Monday 12 January 2026
US scraps planned restrictions on Chinese-made drones

The US Commerce Department has withdrawn a proposal that would have restricted or potentially barred imports of Chinese-made drones, stepping back from a regulatory effort aimed at addressing national security and supply chain risks, according to a notice posted on a US government website

Monday 12 January 2026
China files for over 200,000 LEO satellites, challenging global spectrum allocation
According to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), China filed in December 2025 to secure frequency and orbital resources for more than 200,000 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites spread across approximately 14 constellations. This filing represents an unprecedented move in the global competition for LEO satellite networks
Monday 12 January 2026
HP seeks Chinese memory suppliers as DRAM shortage bites
HP is reportedly evaluating Chinese memory suppliers as a global shortage of DRAM tightens supply for consumer devices, according to analyst commentary citing discussions with Bank of America
Monday 12 January 2026
South Korea accelerates SiC and GaN power chip production with new policy push
South Korea is stepping up policy support for next-generation power semiconductors as part of a broader push to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers, with local foundries accelerating the commercialization of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices
Monday 12 January 2026
TCL climbs to No. 2 in global TV shipments

TCL has risen to second place worldwide in TV shipments, trailing only Samsung Electronics, as the Chinese electronics group leverages supply chain integration and display technology development to gain share in the global TV market

Monday 12 January 2026
Weekly news roundup: AI memory effects in DRAM, HBM4, and TSMC's global expansion
Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories of the first full week of 2026: January 5-11
Monday 12 January 2026
Samsung eyes BOE OLED panels for Galaxy S series
Samsung Electronics is reportedly evaluating whether to source OLED display panels from China's BOE Technology Group for its flagship Galaxy S smartphone lineup, as it looks to rein in component costs while weighing legal and quality risks
Monday 12 January 2026
Samsung reportedly lands US$550 million state loan for chipmaking equipment
Samsung Electronics has reportedly secured KRW800 billion (US$550 million) through a low-interest loan program from the Korea Development Bank, according to sources cited by Korean media
Monday 12 January 2026
TEL expands AI memory capex, targets etching equipment market share
Japanese semiconductor equipment maker TEL is ramping up investments to capitalize on a supercycle in memory demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) servers. With DRAM and other memory prices expected to surge roughly 10x starting fall 2025, rapid global data center expansion is fueling explosive demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools
Sunday 11 January 2026
Realme and OnePlus return to Oppo: Three-brand integration to counter supply chain and market pressure
China's smartphone industry opened 2026 with a major consolidation move, as Realme formally returned to the Oppo group as a sub-brand and integrated with fellow sub-brand OnePlus. The restructuring is intended to strengthen competitiveness through shared resources and coordinated brand strategy amid mounting supply chain pressure and intensifying market competition
Sunday 11 January 2026
CATL teams up with Nio to tackle the next phase of China's EV boom

China's largest battery maker, CATL, said it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio, deepening ties between two of the country's most influential players in the EV ecosystem

Sunday 11 January 2026
Seeking independence from Starlink, Japan backs homegrown satellites

Japan has formally committed to building its own low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, marking a significant shift in how the country approaches communications infrastructure and national security

Sunday 11 January 2026
China's humanoid robots outsell US rivals in 2025 shipments
Chinese humanoid robots made a high-profile debut at CES 2026, demonstrating capabilities ranging from table-tennis play to kung fu routines. For many exhibitors, the Las Vegas show was less about spectacle and more about securing overseas customers and accelerating commercial orders