Austria's AT&S has begun high-volume manufacturing at its new facility in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia's ambition to climb the semiconductor value chain amid shifting global supply networks driven by geopolitical tensions

Malaysia's semiconductor industry, currently accounting for approximately 7% of global semiconductor exports with annual revenue of around RM575 billion (approx. US$130 billion), stands at a critical juncture as the nation pursues an ambitious strategy to move up the value chain amid shifting global technology supply networks

Chinese listed semiconductor equipment and materials companies released their 2024 annual financial reports in late April, revealing strong revenue growth but a decline in overall profitability. Despite intensified US sanctions, the sector demonstrated resilience through increased capital investments and strategic restructuring, signaling China's determination to bolster its semiconductor industry

As quantum computing emerges as a pivotal battleground in global tech competition, tensions between China and the US continue to intensify. On May 6, 2025, Hefei-based Origin Quantum unveiled its fourth-generation quantum measurement and control system—Origin Tianji 4.0—marking a significant breakthrough in China's push toward localized, mass-producible quantum technologies. The launch triggered an immediate response from Microsoft President Brad Smith, who warned that "the US cannot afford to lose" in the quantum race

Billionaire Li Shufu is ramping up a push to streamline his sprawling business empire, with his Hong Kong-listed Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. offering to take premium electric-car maker Zeekr Private

Tesla has rolled out a new camera-based driver-assistance system in China while awaiting government approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Unlike most Chinese EV makers that rely on LiDAR sensors, Tesla is sticking to a vision-only approach, it says offers superior performance and lower costs

Pegatron Corporation has inaugurated a new factory in Batam, Indonesia, marking a significant milestone as the world's largest 5G smart factory. This facility is notable for being Pegatron's most advanced manufacturing base in Southeast Asia, operating fully on a standalone 5G network architecture

The US recently imposed final anti-dumping duties on solar cell and module manufacturers from four Southeast Asian countries—Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia—with rates of 34.4%, 395.9%, 375.2%, and a staggering 3,521% for Cambodia

In a recent speech, Palmer Luckey, the innovative force behind defense technology firm Anduril Industries, invoked a hypothetical Taiwan Strait conflict to underscore the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern warfare

A combination of rising US tariffs, reduced benefits from China's "trade-in" subsidy program, and mounting inventory challenges has prompted Chinese panel makers to scale back production during the five-day May Day holiday. This measure aims to support prices, which have remained relatively flat since the end of April, preventing a sharp drop amid slowing purchasing activity from television brands

Despite surpassing analysts' forecasts for both revenue and profit in its fiscal second quarter, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed caution about the months ahead, citing growing uncertainty from US-China trade tensions and tariff risks. In response, Apple is accelerating efforts to diversify its manufacturing base, working closely with partners like Foxconn to shift more production to India and Vietnam

According to Nikkei, Japanese semiconductor materials maker Fujifilm reportedly plans to set up a factory in Gujarat, India, aiming to start production by 2028. The company expects to acquire land by 2025 and begin construction in 2026, with several billion Japanese yen investment. The plant will produce chemicals for semiconductor processing and developer solutions, initially supplying Tata Electronics, part of the Tata Group, which is building a semiconductor fab in Gujarat with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC)

China's foundry industry has seen explosive growth in mature semiconductor manufacturing over the past five years—a trend reflected in ASML's financial disclosures, where Chinese businesses once accounted for as much as 40–50% of revenue. But by early 2025, that figure had dropped to about 25%

Once crowned the undisputed "smartphone king of Africa," China's Transsion is now battling mounting challenges. While revenue continues to climb, the company faces declining margins and growing pressure from rivals in its core African markets