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Tuesday 5 August 2025
US doubles down on chip tracking as China flags Nvidia 'backdoor' fears
As US–China tech tensions deepen, a senior US official said the Trump Administration is pushing to embed advanced tracking features into semiconductors to prevent Nvidia and other US-made chips from being diverted to China
Tuesday 5 August 2025
Tesla China shipments fall again as competition heats up
Shipments from Tesla Inc.'s Shanghai factory slipped back into decline on intense competition in China and global trade uncertainties
Tuesday 5 August 2025
Taiwan OSAT gains from BIS whitelist fall short as US grants Chinese firms exemptions
Taiwan's IC OSAT supply chain was previously expected to benefit from US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) restrictions on Chinese semiconductor firms. The BIS's semiconductor whitelist, which excluded major Chinese OSATs such as JCET and Tongfu Microelectronics, had opened the door for Chinese IC design firms to shift orders to whitelisted vendors, with Taiwanese firms listed and poised to gain
Tuesday 5 August 2025
China's Sanan Optoelectronics to acquire Dutch LED company Lumileds for US$239 million
On August 4, 2025, Sanan Optoelectronics partnered with Malaysia's Inari Amertron Berhad to acquire Dutch LED company Lumileds for US$239 million, expanding Sanan's presence in the high-end LED market
Tuesday 5 August 2025
South Korea's SK On aims to best rivals with next-generation batteries
SK Innovation Co.'s battery unit plans to accelerate development of cutting-edge technologies in partnership with US and European carmakers, its R&D chief said, aiming to win back market share from peers in China and South Korea
Tuesday 5 August 2025
South Korea ramps up tech & recycling strategies amid rare earth wars
Global competition is intensifying over rare and critical mineral resources. South Korea's relatively slower progress in comparison to the US, Japan, and China has raised concerns across academia and various industries. To mitigate raw material disruptions and geopolitical risks, technological independence, diversified supply chains, and strategic stockpiling policies are becoming urgent priorities
Tuesday 5 August 2025
Xiaomi open-sources voice AI model to enter automotive and smart home markets
Xiaomi has launched a 7-billion-parameter version of its open-source voice model, MiDashengLM, which incorporates Alibaba's open-source Qwen 2.5 series. This model focuses on in-car systems and smart home devices, enhancing Xiaomi's AI strategy and expanding its reach in voice application markets
Tuesday 5 August 2025
Japan unveils next-gen defense plan centered on space and hypersonic threats

In response to rapid advancements in military technology and an increasingly uncertain global security environment, Japan's Ministry of Defense released two key documents on July 28, 2025: its next-generation information and communications strategy and the Space Domain Defense Guidelines. These initiatives lay out a sweeping vision for cross-branch military modernization centered on next-gen satellite communications and resilient space-based infrastructure

Tuesday 5 August 2025
Canon builds first fab in 20 years to chase back-end boom
Japanese optical giant Canon, which had not built a new semiconductor lithography equipment production plant since 2004 due to a declining market, announced on July 30, 2025, the completion of a new semiconductor lithography equipment factory at its Utsunomiya optical products plant. The facility is expected to begin operations in September
Tuesday 5 August 2025
Korea bets on private sector to fuel its SpaceX dreams
In a milestone move signaling the transition of South Korea's space ambitions from government-led development to commercial enterprise, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has officially signed a technology transfer agreement with Hanwha Aerospace, granting the company rights to manufacture and launch the nation's first domestically developed space launch vehicle, the KSLV-II Nuri rocket
Monday 4 August 2025
India highlights semiconductor potential ahead of Semicon India 2025
Ahead of the fourth edition of Semicon India, set to be held from September 2-4, 2025, in New Delhi, the Indian Government has released a press statement reaffirming its commitment to building a world-class semiconductor ecosystem. The release underscores India's growing role in the global chip supply chain, driven by demand for AI, smart devices, and digital infrastructure
Monday 4 August 2025
Samsung foundry utilization reportedly rebounds on AI chip demand and rising orders
Samsung Electronics' foundry production lines for process nodes above 4nm have recently achieved their highest utilization rates, according to South Korean media outlet ChosunBiz, citing industry insiders
Monday 4 August 2025
Kaynes Circuits reportedly to invest US$570M in Tamil Nadu's first large-scale PCB facility
The Economic Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that Kaynes Circuits India is set to invest INR49.95 billion (approx. US$570 million) to establish an advanced electronics component manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, marking the first large-scale PCB investment in the state and signals Tamil Nadu's broader ambition to develop a new electronics manufacturing cluster in the southern coastal region
Monday 4 August 2025
Doosan Robotics pursues AI transformation and overseas expansion despite declining performance
Facing dual pressures from international instability and slowing growth in its main markets, South Korea's collaborative robot giant Doosan Robotics is actively undergoing a strategic transformation. Despite widening losses, the company has aggressively acquired US robotics solutions provider Onexia to drive growth through global expansion and technological upgrades
Monday 4 August 2025
Ventec to launch Thailand factory in 2026 to serve US, Asia auto and aerospace markets
Ventec International Group, a specialty manufacturer of copper-clad laminates (CCLs), has commenced construction of a new manufacturing facility in Thailand as part of its broader global expansion efforts. The initial phase of the plant is expected to begin operations in early 2026, with full-scale production lines planned for activation in the second quarter