Vivo unveiled its new X300 flagship series in Shanghai on October 13, 2025, highlighting deepened collaboration with Zeiss to differentiate and enhance imaging and video recording capabilities. The company also launched OriginOS 6, optimizing the user interface and AI integration to strengthen brand and product competitiveness
Tensions are flaring yet again between China and the US. China has reportedly made plans to impose export controls on certain lithium batteries, key anode and cathode materials, and manufacturing equipment starting November 8, 2025. If China enforces the controls, consumer electronics like notebooks will be significantly impacted. However, data center Battery Backup Unit (BBU) systems primarily use Japanese and Korean cells, making the impact there relatively limited
Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) Division, responsible for its semiconductor business, is reportedly crafting a new strategic blueprint tailored to each segment's characteristics. The goal is to restructure and realign its operations to build a stronger growth foundation
In a milestone for Taiwan's growing space ambitions, Japanese space startup ispace announced it has been selected by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) to transport scientific instruments to the lunar surface aboard its 2028 mission
Memory module manufacturer Apacer Technology has, in recent years, been actively expanding into full-color cholesteric liquid crystal electronic paper (ChLCD ePaper). Recognizing that Japan has a strong demand for sustainable solutions, the company has joined forces with IRIS Optronics for CEATEC 2025 in Japan, showcasing the latest applications that combine low power consumption, reflective display, and outdoor visibility
Titan Engineering and Automation, a Tata Group company, has acquired the India operations of Chinese industrial automation firm Justech Precision for nearly US$100 million, according to a report by CNBC, citing unnamed sources. The transaction, completed in August 2025, was advised by HSBC Bank and HDFC Bank and marks a key step in Tata's strategy to expand its role in Apple's global supply chain
Samsung Electronics has officially joined Nvidia's NVLink Fusion ecosystem, marking a significant step in the two companies' collaboration within the semiconductor foundry sector. Under Nvidia's open-standard strategy, Samsung is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the global competitiveness of AI infrastructure
As South Korea prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju on October 31, attention is focused on a potential high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, rising tensions over China's expanded REE export controls and special port fees imposed on US-flagged vessels have intensified the trade conflict ahead of the summit. If unresolved through negotiation, these escalating trade barriers risk inflicting severe economic damage that could leave both the US and China worse off, while also harming Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea as collateral victims
Amid China's toughest-ever rare earth export controls, China's Ministry of Commerce on October 14, 2025, reiterated a firm stance against the US, stating that if Washington continues tariff hikes and escalates export restrictions, Beijing will "fight to the end," but "if there's talk, the door is open." This signals a tougher posture in ongoing trade negotiations
Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the new iPhone Air will open for preorder in China on October 17, with official sales beginning on October 22. The announcement was made during Cook's public appearance in China, where he promoted the device through a live stream on the popular platform Douyin, known internationally as TikTok
China is sending new shockwaves through the global economy after its two largest rare-earth producers announced a massive 37% price hike for the fourth quarter. The move comes just one day after Beijing expanded its export controls to include crucial semiconductor and AI technologies for the first time, signaling a tighter grip on the strategic materials
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
