Tobias

The U.S. upholds strict AI chip export controls against China despite NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s warnings that such restrictions fuel China’s tech self-sufficiency drive. Huang noted over half of advanced AI research now stems from Chinese entities like Huawei and DeepSeek, with NVIDIA’s China market share plunging from 90% to 50% amid the bans. Huawei’s Ascend chips have filled the gap, becoming its key regional rival. While NVIDIA plans China-compliant Blackwell chips by July, analysts doubt their competitiveness against China’s R&D surge. U.S. Officials defend the curbs as vital for national security, but critics argue the policy risks eroding U.S. influence in shaping global AI innovation, as Huang emphasized leadership stems from breakthroughs, not barriers.

Sichuan regulators summoned JD Delivery executives to address operational violations impacting market integrity and consumer trust. Issues included mismatched merchant addresses, unauthorized business expansions, and unfair pricing. Authorities mandated immediate platform reforms, stricter oversight, and compliance with ethical practices. JD pledged enhanced vendor vetting, real-time audits, and expanded use of livestreamed “Transparent Kitchens” for accountability. This follows broader regulatory actions against China’s food delivery sector, including Meituan and Ele.me, amid concerns over monopolistic practices and labor standards.

Shenlan Technology, once a $2.23B AI unicorn, faces mounting crises as over 100 ex-employees pursue legal action against founder Chen Haibo, securing court-imposed travel bans over unpaid wages. The company dissolved its Shenzhen workforce in 2024 despite a 2023 payment agreement, citing conflicting financial claims about IPO preparations. Courts rejected Chen’s appeal, holding him accountable as legal representative amid accusations of evading operational duties. Shenlan countersued ex-staff for alleged non-compete breaches, while its nine-figure Pre-IPO funding and alleged inflated revenue claims (¥100M actual vs. promoted billions) deepen credibility concerns. Prolonged IPO delays and unresolved labor disputes expose governance risks, reflecting systemic issues in China’s hypercompetitive AI sector.

The Trump administration revoked Harvard’s certification to enroll international students, alleging “terrorism support,” forcing 6,800 current students to transfer or face legal status risks. The move impacts Harvard’s $5.4B budget, as international students (27% of its body) pay full tuition. Officials framed it as accountability for defying federal demands on curriculum and campus policies. Harvard, which had sued to reclaim $2.2B in frozen grants, called the action unlawful overreach threatening U.S. academic leadership. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement, setting up prolonged legal battles. The conflict highlights tensions between federal authority and higher education autonomy.

Chinese auto influencer Chen Zhen ignited social media controversy after sharing images of a custom Ferrari Purosangue, with netizens alleging veiled criticism of Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan. While Chen praised Xiaomi’s product value in follow-up comments, critics interpreted his post as contrasting Ferrari’s heritage with the tech giant’s automotive ambitions. The debate underscores rising tensions in China’s EV sector, where legacy luxury brands collide with tech disruptors. Analysts note influencers’ growing power to shape consumer narratives across industries, as Xiaomi’s “mass-market dream car” faces scrutiny over design and pricing in the $100 billion market.

Fortune Magazine’s 2025 Most Powerful Women in Global Business list recognizes leaders steering multinational firms through AI adoption, supply chain shifts, and geopolitical challenges. GM’s Mary Barra, Accenture’s Julie Sweet, and Citi’s Jane Fraser top the U.S.-dominated ranking (52% of honorees). Notable figures include AMD CEO Lisa Su, advancing AI chip innovation amid U.S.-China trade tensions, and Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou (10th), driving China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency. Chinese executives Joey Wat (Yum China), Bonnie Chan (HKEX), and JD.com’s Xu Ran also feature prominently. The list underscores technology strategy and cross-border agility as critical to modern corporate leadership.

At its 15th-anniversary event in Beijing, Xiaomi unveiled cutting-edge devices, including the flagship Xuánjiè O1 chipset—a 3nm processor with 19 billion transistors and an AnTuTu benchmark exceeding 3 million points. CEO Lei Jun highlighted AI advancements, showcasing a neural processing unit delivering 44 TOPS (18% faster than Apple’s A18 Pro) and features like real-time AI-assisted writing. The launch, spanning the 15S Pro smartphone and Pad 7 Ultra, underscores Xiaomi’s vertical integration strategy to dominate smart ecosystems. Analysts note the chipset’s potential expansion into IoT and automotive markets.

The 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) commenced on May 22, 2024, attracting over 6,000 global exhibitors and showcasing 120,000 cultural-tech innovations. A dedicated AI zone highlighted Shenzhen’s leadership, featuring robotics, AR, and interactive installations. Local firm Appotronics demonstrated breakthrough biomimetic projection for robotic facial expressions and a compact AR optical engine optimized for mass production. With China’s core AI industry growing 60% annually to $38 billion in 2023, the event underscores Shenzhen’s pivotal role in merging cultural and technological advancement, driven by supportive policies and cutting-edge R&D.

At its 15th anniversary event, Xiaomi unveiled the YU7 SUV, blending Chinese philosophy with automotive design. Founder Lei Jun emphasized the Daoist-inspired name (“YU,” fourth tone), symbolizing freedom and effortless mobility. The launch showcased a vibrant Lava Orange variant and teased five upcoming colors, surpassing customization expectations. Lei positioned the vehicle for the “young at heart,” reflecting Xiaomi’s strategy to merge premium tech with accessible branding in the competitive EV market. The event marked Xiaomi’s ambitious automotive push, marrying cultural narratives with innovation, as industry observers assess its global appeal against established automakers. (99 words)

Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing reiterated China’s role as its core manufacturing base, citing unmatched cost-efficiency and supply chain integration, while pursuing a “China+N” global production strategy to address geopolitical risks. Over 70% of core manufacturing remains in China, but the firm has expanded to 30 facilities across 12 countries since 2020, balancing localized needs with cost control. This hybrid approach drove record FY2024/25 revenue of ¥498.5 billion ($69.2 billion), up 21.5% annually, and a 36% profit surge. Analysts highlight Lenovo’s model as a blueprint for multinationals combining China’s manufacturing strengths with global risk diversification amid shifting trade dynamics.