Alibaba

Baidu

ByteDance

Meituan

Pinduoduo

Tencent

Most Followed

KrASIA Connection

China's Auto Sector

Earnings Reports

Inside China's Startups

Venture Roundup

Our Events

View All

Collections

News

Features

Insights

Ecosystem

DeepSeek

Kuaishou

Li Auto

Xiaohongshu

Xiaomi

Xpeng

On the Radar

Chinese AI agent platform Manus removed its invite-only barrier on May 12, opening global registration and launching tiered subscription plans. Backed…

Events

Latest

About

36Kr (EN)

Consumer

Robotics

Fintech

China’s tech ecosystem serves as a driving force behind the world’s second largest economy, influencing global digital markets.

China

Explore East Asia’s thriving tech hubs, global electronics producers, and fast-evolving digital platforms shaping cross-border innovation.

East Asia

Shein, a fast fashion online retailer, updates its catalog frequently, offering trendy apparel and accessories to global style-conscious shoppers.

Shein

What sets the bar for convenience? Examine on-demand platforms, subscription models, and personalization transforming consumer expectations.

Consumer Economy

How do stores adapt to digital shifts? Explore e-commerce integration, inventory analytics, and omnichannel strategies for modern shoppers.

Retail

US tariffs are forcing small workshops to adapt or go out of business.

Shein suppliers closing "all over the place" in this China garment district

Decoding China&#039;s tech and business pulse

KrASIA

As part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with Nikkei, you can read selected content from Nikkei Asia on KrASIA.

Nikkei Asia

Photo of an outdoor setup showcasing Asmoke’s smart electric grill.

Asmoke is reengineering barbecue with sensors and startup swagger, betting that pitmasters are ready for a tech upgrade.

Can a smart grill from China earn a place in American backyards?

36Kr is China's most influential business and technology network, delivering high-quality content focused on China’s innovation and new economy trends since 2010. With its extensive traffic and network, 36Kr has built a comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities to provide insights into China’s technology landscape.

36Kr English

How do markets shape wealth creation? Study portfolio diversification, asset classes, and strategies balancing growth and risk.

Investment

When do companies invite public investment? Understand listing criteria, underwriter roles, and regulatory steps defining initial offerings.

Why do firms join forces? Investigate synergy goals, valuation methods, and negotiations driving corporate consolidation.

Merger &amp; Acquisition

What happens after acquisitions close? Examine deal structures, operational improvements, and exit strategies molding corporate outcomes.

Private Equity

What fuels startup ecosystems? Review funding rounds, investor strategies, and market insights guiding entrepreneurial growth.

Venture Capital

Singapore

Southeast Asia

Bringing you the latest updates on funding deals and activities in the Asia Pacific.

Deals in brief: Wavemaker Impact leads Arysun’s pre-seed round, Nuevocor raises USD 45 million, latest funding deals in China, and more

An alias used when humans and machines team up in our newsroom. Articles under this byline may be shaped with the help of AI, but are always vetted by a human before publication.

Sudo Lim

KrASIA tracks China’s tech and business stories—alongside key developments across the broader Asia Pacific region.

Header Section | KrASIA

Home

Sections

Header Section

Chinese AI agent platform Manus removed its invite-only barrier on May 12, opening global registration and launching tiered subscription plans. Backed by <a href="https://kr-asia.com/deals-in-brief-flash-coffee-eyes-expansion-with-usd-3-million-boost-thunes-raises-series-d-funding-manus-creator-nets-usd-75-million-and-more">USD 75 million in funding</a>, the platform plans global expansion but must contend with offerings from major rivals like OpenAI and Google.

<a href="/company/gac">GAC</a> confirmed plans to localize <a href="/industry/ev">EV</a> production in Brazil and launch a R&amp;D center in Sao Paulo during President Lula’s visit to China. New models including the Aion V and GS4 will debut at a May 23 event as GAC advances full-chain operations in Latin America.

China launched two direct international road freight routes to Hanoi on May 14, with convoys departing Nanning and Kunming under <a href="https://www.greatermekong.org/cross-border-transport-facilitation-agreement">CBTA</a> permits. The move marks the first time Chinese freight trucks enter Vietnam’s interior directly, cutting costs and transit time.

Chinese sellers reported a sharp rise in US reorders, with some merchants securing deals worth over USD 400,000 in a single day. While demand remains strong, exporters are also expanding into emerging markets to hedge risks. Experts urge SMEs to prepare for shifting compliance and logistics costs, while regulators pledge greater financial support for cross-border e-commerce.

Chinese food chain Shaxian Delicacies has opened a flagship location in Riyadh, its first in the Middle East. The launch marks a new milestone in the brand’s global expansion under the Belt and Road Initiative, which now reaches 79 countries.

Giant Network announced a deeper collaboration with <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance’s</a> Volcano Engine to enhance game design and interaction using AI. This includes the recent integration of the Doubao large model into its <em>Battle in Space</em> title, with plans to explore next-gen content and interfaces using Dreamina (Jimeng AI) and other tools.

Tencent Music reported Q1 2025 net income of RMB 4.29 billion, up 202% YoY, driven by a one-time investment gain and robust subscription growth. Total revenue rose 8.7% to RMB 7.36 billion, with paying users reaching 122.9 million and monthly ARPPU up 7.5% to RMB 11.4. Music subscription revenue climbed 16.6%, while social entertainment declined due to compliance adjustments.

<a href="/company/jd">JD.com</a> posted strong Q1 2025 results, with revenue rising 15.8% YoY to RMB 301.1 billion and net income surging 52.7% to RMB 10.9 billion. Growth was led by its core retail and logistics units, alongside new initiatives in food delivery and AI-driven healthcare. Operating profit rose 36% to RMB 10.5 billion, while adjusted EBITDA reached RMB 13.7 billion, beating market expectations.

<a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> topped <a href="/company/tesla">Tesla</a> in European sales for April 2025, recording 11,123 units sold across 14 markets including Spain, Italy, France, the UK, and Germany. In comparison, Tesla sold 6,253 units. BYD’s market share surged in the UK with a 654% YoY increase, and it captured 10% of Italy’s market with 5,646 units sold from January to April.

<p data-start="267" data-end="636"><a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng Motors</a> officially launched in Italy during Milan Design Week, presenting a lineup of advanced tech including the P7+ EV, AeroHT's X2 flying car, and a humanoid robot. The move expands Xpeng's European footprint as part of its global market strategy.</p>

Moonshot AI is exploring medical applications for Kimi, aiming to improve the AI assistant's search quality in fields like healthcare, law, and finance. The company began building a medical-focused team in late 2024 and is currently in early-stage research and data preparation.

What guides machine-led insights? Uncover AI applications, language models, and decision-making systems transforming sectors worldwide.

Artificial Intelligence

What lies beyond familiar frontiers? Investigate emerging tech—like quantum computing and AI—transforming traditional sectors.

Deep Tech

How does automation advance industry? Analyze robotic arms, drones, and AI-driven tools reshaping manufacturing and services.

Mech-Mind’s plug-and-play vision platform is powering tasks from bin picking to inspection across more than 50 countries.

This Chinese robotics firm is making factory AI modular, global—and scalable

CHENG Zi is based in China, covering technology and business-related events. She works with her colleagues at 36Kr Global to provide coverage in both English and Chinese.

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a1c02e0609a846ab19ab44182633a8d5?s=96&d=blank&r=g

Cheng Zi

BYD, a Chinese EV maker, produces electric cars, buses, and batteries, accelerating adoption of sustainable transportation worldwide.

Li Auto develops electric vehicles that combine smart cockpit systems, advanced safety features, and long-distance battery support.

Nio, a Chinese electric car maker, specializes in high-performance EVs, battery-swapping solutions, and autonomous driving technologies.

Xiaomi crafts affordable smartphones, wearables, and IoT devices, appealing to users who seek innovation, quality, and budget-friendly tech.

How are driverless systems redefining mobility? Uncover sensor technologies, regulatory frameworks, and AI driving cars without human intervention.

Autonomous Vehicles

How is the way we move evolving? Explore developments in autonomous transportation, electric vehicles, and more efficient urban transit.

Mobility

How do goods and people flow worldwide? Examine transport networks, logistics innovations, and policies shaping global connectivity.

Transportation

Regulators are shifting the focus from splashy claims to core safety features, rethinking what autonomy should mean.

After a fatal SU7 crash, China reins in “smart driving” hype

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a6b9ace74da9df391d5f7ba1892f4393?s=96&d=blank&r=g

Targeted dialogues and policy consultations at BIIT paved the way for Chinese firms to expand globally.

AI agent platform Manus opens to all users

Latest Pulses

Most Recent

This Chinese robotics firm is making factory AI modular, global—and scalable

After a fatal SU7 crash, China reins in “smart driving” hype

BIIT 2025 unlocks market access through strategic negotiations