China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has established a department to boost the low-altitude economy, targeting growth in 2025 and beyond. This move aligns with Beijing's recent push for aviation reforms, focusing on airspace management, traffic systems, and low-altitude infrastructure
As 2025 unfolds, China's smartphone market faces a wave of price cuts, with Apple launching promotions and Huawei following suit by adjusting its pricing. While manufacturers compete for market share through innovation in a contracting market, the increasing similarity of smartphone models and features has made differentiation challenging
The US has introduced stricter export controls on chips with 30 billion transistors at 16/14nm nodes to limit Chinese access to advanced processors. Industry sources indicate that this will immediately impact Chinese AI accelerator developers
Japanese chip gear makers trimmed their revenue forecast for fiscal 2025, citing fears of a slowdown in spending in China as well as by makers of automotive and power chips
China will investigate allegations that the US dumps lower-end chips and unfairly subsidizes its own chipmakers, in potentially one of Beijing's strongest retaliatory moves against American technology sanctions. The government will look into the question of whether the US is giving its chipmakers an unfair advantage through incentives and grants, or illegally undercutting Chinese products, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement on January 16
With Donald Trump's upcoming presidency promising immediate tariff hikes and stricter sanctions and tech controls on China, the Asian economic giant aims to boost domestic demand, develop a modern industrial system, and open its market to foreign businesses. Taiwan, China's largest importer, must reconsider its supply chain and business strategy toward China while also aligning with Trump's policies by investing in the US
On January 16, 2025, Canalys reported that iPhone shipments in China fell by 25% in the fourth quarter of 2024, while Huawei's shipments rose by 24% during the same period. This significant shift highlights Apple's growing challenges in China, including strong competition from government-supported Huawei, the country's weakening economy, and reduced consumer spending
China is reportedly planning to implement export restrictions on technologies critical for manufacturing battery components and refining key minerals such as lithium and gallium. According to Battery Tech Online, the move aims to reinforce China's dominance in the battery supply chain while bolstering its leverage in trade disputes with the US, particularly as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term
As Donald Trump prepares to be inaugurated as President of the US on January 20, his controversial campaign statements and post-election remarks have raised alarm among allies in Europe and Asia. Proposals such as imposing higher import tariffs, demanding increased military spending from allies, withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), and even attempting to purchase or annex Greenland have left countries scrambling to assess potential impacts and countermeasures
Recent shifts in the global smartphone manufacturing landscape highlight diversification efforts among iPhone manufacturers. Tata Electronics is exploring partnerships with major Android brands, while Luxshare expands through acquisitions, reducing reliance on Apple. As Taiwanese firms pivot towards AI and other sectors, this trend underscores the need for new revenue streams amid a maturing market
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology successfully launched the Smart Dragon-3 (Jielong-3) rocket on January 13, 2025, near Haiyang in Shandong province, deploying 10 CentiSpace-01 satellites into orbit. These satellites will form part of a low-orbit constellation planned to include 240 satellites, with 120 scheduled for deployment by the end of 2026
Since launching its "Pioneer Program", Huawei has garnered consistent attention in the smartphone market. Having achieved a strong resurgence in China, the company is now aiming to reclaim its position on the global stage
Cambricon Technologies, a leading AI chipmaker in China, has announced its 2024 financial forecast, estimating annual revenue of CNY1.07 to CNY1.2 billion (approx. US$146 to US$164 million). This marks a robust year-over-year growth of 50.8% to 69.2%. The company attributed the projected increase to its ongoing market expansion efforts and the growing adoption of AI applications, positioning 2024 as a year of significant revenue improvement compared to 2023
The US has introduced new regulations to prevent advanced chips from reaching China. This move aims to tighten restrictions on its geopolitical rival, urging chip manufacturers like TSMC and Samsung Electronics to increase their oversight of customers, particularly Chinese companies
