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Thursday 17 July 2025
China's Wingtech reboots C-suite as it doubles down on semiconductors
Wingtech Technology announced on July 15 a sweeping leadership overhaul as it shifts its core strategy toward semiconductors, following the divestiture of its consumer electronics ODM business. In March 2025, under mounting US sanctions, Wingtech sold its entire ODM manufacturing unit to Luxshare Precision, marking a complete exit from the consumer electronics sector and a decisive pivot to semiconductor development
Thursday 17 July 2025
What killed China's rising 5G chip hopeful? The untold collapse of Jian Wen Lu Semiconductor

Founded in 2016 by former Tokyo Seimitsu (Accretech) engineer Sheng Jinghao, Jian Wen Lu (Zhejiang) Semiconductor was once considered a standout contender in China's push for 5G RF chip independence. Its mission: to bypass foreign patent restrictions and develop high-frequency filters, long viewed as a chokepoint in RF front-end design

Wednesday 16 July 2025
LG enters hybrid bonding tool race, challenging Samsung and Hanwha
LG Electronics is making a bold push into the high-end semiconductor equipment market, setting its sights on hybrid bonding (HB) tools, critical for producing next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. Often described by industry insiders as the "dream tool" for future memory packaging, HB systems are seen as essential to boosting performance in AI and data-intensive applications
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Geely's US$2.4 billion Zeekr buyout kickstarts China's EV brand consolidation wave
Geely Automobile Holdings Limited has agreed to fully acquire Zeekr, its high-end electric vehicle brand, in a US$2.4 billion deal aimed at consolidating operations and sharpening global competitiveness in the smart EV segment. The transaction will privatize Zeekr and delist it from the New York Stock Exchange by the fourth quarter of 2025
Wednesday 16 July 2025
As Huawei Ascend courts the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Washington raises red flags
In early July, the US Department of Commerce issued a stark warning: using Huawei's Ascend AI chips "anywhere in the world" could be considered a violation of US export controls. The statement, though later softened, underscored Washington's growing concerns over China's expanding AI ambitions
Wednesday 16 July 2025
South Korean AV startup brings self-driving shuttles to Singapore with Grab
As autonomous vehicle (AV) companies worldwide race to accelerate commercialization, Singapore has established itself as a premier proving ground for self-driving technology. South Korean autonomous shuttle startup Autonomous A2Z has seized on Singapore's robust regulatory framework and advanced infrastructure to launch its first overseas operation, partnering with ride-hailing giant Grab to deploy self-driving shuttle services on public roads in Singapore's bustling downtown
Wednesday 16 July 2025
China restricts cathode material technology exports; LMFP becomes strategic resource, says HCM
Leading battery cathode material manufacturer HCM announced that China's Ministry of Commerce has officially imposed export restrictions on "battery cathode material preparation technology." HCM is actively establishing a demonstration production line for lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), highlighting Taiwan's increasingly important role in energy autonomy policy
Wednesday 16 July 2025
South Korea faces urgent challenges as the US and China advance in autonomous driving

With the US and China rapidly advancing in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and aggressively expanding their global footprint, South Korea's auto industry is feeling the pressure and urgently reassessing its competitive edge. For many here, the key battleground is no longer hardware or talent alone, but data sovereignty

Wednesday 16 July 2025
EV disputes remain a roadblock to EU-China relations
As the European Union and China prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a high-level summit in Beijing at the end of July 2025, the atmosphere behind closed doors is far from festive. The main issue at hand is the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), which have become a contentious point in the increasingly complex trade relationship between the EU and China
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Samsung, S&S Tech advance EUV mask localization to reduce reliance on Japan's Hoya
Samsung Electronics is accelerating efforts to localize the production of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) blank masks in South Korea through a collaboration with domestic partner S&S Tech. The goal is to pass final quality certification by the second half of 2025, marking a critical milestone in South Korea's push for greater self-sufficiency in next-generation semiconductor materials
Wednesday 16 July 2025
ASML posts strong results, eyes growth amid China curbs and tariff concerns
ASML reported robust second-quarter earnings, with sales rising 23% year-over-year to EUR7.69 billion (US$8.94 billion), driven by upgrade demand and cost efficiencies. While tariff impacts were milder than expected, the company remains restricted from selling its top-tier EUV tools to China, despite signs of easing geopolitical tensions and renewed chip shipments by US rivals
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Why Nvidia, Samsung, Qualcomm are all knocking on Xiaomi's door
The parade of power players to Lei Jun's door tells a story. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have all made the pilgrimage to meet with Xiaomi's founder and CEO during their China visits. This isn't a coincidence — it's recognition of where the real gravity now lies in China's innovation landscape
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Dixon's new deals with Chinese firms test India's evolving stance on FDI post-Galwan
India's Dixon Technologies has signed two new agreements with Chinese firms, a joint venture and an acquisition, in a move that could test the central government's evolving approach to foreign direct investment (FDI) from China following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. These deals bring Dixon's total tie-ups with Chinese partners to five, each awaiting FDI approval by the Indian government
Wednesday 16 July 2025
China Mobile taps Unitree, AgiBot in US$17 million state-backed robot deal
China is pushing large-scale adoption of humanoid robots by directing state-owned enterprises to ramp up procurement. In one of the biggest deals so far, China Mobile (Hangzhou) Information Technology, an arm of China Mobile, awarded a CNY124 million (US$17.2 million) contract in June 2025 to Unitree Robotics and AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics), according to reports from Southern Metropolis Daily, SCMP, and STAR Market Daily
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Nissan to close two plants in Japan; ongoing talks with Foxconn for future transformation
Nissan announced on July 15, 2025, that its Oppama plant will cease production by the end of fiscal year 2027. Vehicle manufacturing operations will be transferred to Nissan Motor Kyushu located in Fukuoka Prefecture. Subsidiary Nissan Shatai's Shonan plant is also scheduled to stop production by the end of the fiscal year 2026
Veeam Q3
Intel signals overhaul of IDM 2.0 and foundry strategy with Lip-Bu Tan's appointment, says DIGITIMES