China tightened rare earth export controls after its National Day holidays, using its dominant production capacity to pressure US firms and advanced chipmakers amid rising supply chain risks
South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix has reportedly encountered unexpected resistance from local residents regarding its US$3.87 billion semiconductor factory investment plan in West Lafayette, Indiana. The project has garnered strong support from the US federal and state governments and is seen as a symbol of the US CHIPS Act's success in forging technological alliances
On October 9, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce issued Announcements No. 61 and 62, expanding export controls on rare earths. The scope now extends beyond raw materials to include equipment, technology, and assemblies containing rare earth elements. An extraterritorial clause was also introduced, stating that foreign products containing a certain proportion of Chinese-origin rare earths or manufactured using Chinese technology must also apply for export licenses. China emphasized that this clause was intended to improve the regulatory system; in response, the US raised tariffs
In just three months, China has implemented two sweeping rounds of export restrictions on its lithium battery supply chain, marking a sharp shift in Beijing's strategy from simple industrial protectionism toward a broader geo-economic agenda
Nexperia, a Dutch semiconductor company and a key supplier of essential "long-tail" components used in cars and industrial equipment, has become an unexpected casualty of the intensifying US-China tech rivalry. Owned by China's Wingtech Technology, the company is now caught in a tightening squeeze, with new export controls from both Washington and Beijing threatening to upend its global operations
As memory and storage prices enter a rapid growth cycle, Chinese memory supply chains are expanding their influence by targeting domestic smartphone brands. Leveraging upstream manufacturers' resources and localized partnerships, these Chinese firms are gradually capturing market share traditionally dominated by major global memory companies. Suppliers for smartphone giants like Transsion and Xiaomi are seeing significant increases in their footprint
According to the latest data from China's General Administration of Customs, China's rare earth exports dropped sharply by 30.9% month-over-month to 4,000.3 tons in September 2025, down from 5,791.8 tons in August 2025. The export value was approximately CNY430 million (US$60.4 million)
A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in the southwestern city of Chengdu has raised new questions about the safety of electronic car doors, after reports that the vehicle's doors failed to open following impact
The mid-to-large size OLED panel market is set for significant growth in 2025, driven primarily by demand from the monitor and notebook segments. South Korean companies Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD), both of which are dominant players in the OLED sector, are expected to see positive revenue impacts from the market expansion
Originally rooted in heavy industry, South Korea's Doosan Group is expanding into the semiconductor sector and is considering acquiring semiconductor wafer manufacturer SK Siltron. While Doosan is not directly involved in semiconductor fabrication, it is strategically targeting areas such as materials, back-end processes, and design within the semiconductor industry. This strategy allows it to avoid high technical investment risks while still securing industry influence
Coretronic has reported consolidated revenue of about NT$3.461 billion (US$113.4 million) for September 2025, up 4% from August's NT$3.342 billion and 1% from that of the same month in 2024. For the third quarter of 2025, consolidated revenue reached NT$9.948 billion, up 1% sequentially but down 7% year over year. Cumulative revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 totaled NT$28.28 billion, marking a 5% decline compared to the same period in 2024
On October 10, 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially launched an investigation into Qualcomm for allegedly violating China's Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) by failing to declare its acquisition of Autotalks. According to China Central Television (CCTV), Qualcomm completed the acquisition without submitting the required declaration or communicating with regulatory authorities
Megaspeed International Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based AI computing company, is under intensifying scrutiny as both US and Singapore authorities investigate its alleged role in diverting restricted Nvidia AI chips to China
China's eight-day Golden Week holiday saw a record number of travelers hit the roads and rails, but the spending spree ended there. The hoped-for boom in consumer electronics never materialized, leaving retailers with sluggish sales and signaling that Chinese households are prioritizing experiences over goods amid a shaky economic recovery
Following China's 2025 Golden Week, major brands Oppo and Honor announced upcoming smartphone releases featuring advanced imaging and AI enhancements to stimulate demand. Despite promotional efforts, the third quarter of 2025 showed only a modest 2.3% year-over-year shipment growth, reflecting ongoing market challenges
