Markets

Haier Refrigerator unveiled breakthrough solutions to food spoilage and storage inefficiencies at a 2025 industry summit, winning three AI innovation awards. Its Magnetic Preservation Technology employs static magnetic fields to maintain 98% food freshness by preventing cellular damage, preserving seafood for up to 60 days. Integrated AI systems track expiration dates, recommend recipes, and optimize ingredient placement, while a slim, flat-embedded design enhances kitchen aesthetics. With a 44.5% market share and leading growth, Haier reimagines refrigerators as proactive culinary partners, prioritizing nutrient retention, sensory quality, and intelligent ecosystem integration to transform everyday kitchen experiences into seamless, health-conscious routines.

Baidu’s Q1 2025 revenue rose 3% year-over-year to ¥32.45B ($4.47B), beating estimates, though non-GAAP net profit fell 8% to ¥6.47B amid increased AI R&D investments. CEO Robin Li emphasized prioritizing applied AI innovations over foundational models, announcing development of Ernie 5.0 and plans to open-source Ernie 4.5 by June 30. The company aims to commercialize digital human technology and scale its autonomous driving unit, Apollo Go, which operates 1,000 driverless vehicles in 15 cities. Ride-hailing orders surged 75% to 1.4M trips in Q1, totaling 11M cumulative journeys. Li projected profitability through cost reductions and operational scaling, positioning Apollo Go as a future growth engine.

Nasdaq (NDAQ) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) have expanded their technology partnership, with PSE adopting Nasdaq’s next-gen Eqlipse Trading platform. The cloud-agnostic system offers real-time risk controls and derivatives pricing, positioning PSE as a Southeast Asian pioneer in advanced exchange infrastructure. This upgrade aims to boost market resilience amid rising volumes and regulatory demands. Nasdaq, which supports 97% of globally systemic banks, strengthens its presence in Asia’s $3.6T financial markets. The deal highlights Nasdaq’s recurring revenue model and cross-selling of compliance tools, despite implementation risks. It reinforces Nasdaq’s strategy to deliver modular, regulation-ready solutions in high-growth regions, countering regional competition from Singapore and Hong Kong.

A Beijing driver for CaoCao Mobility faced scrutiny after a passenger recorded him denying knowledge of a lost phone left in his vehicle, despite placing it in a seat pouch. The viral video prompted an internal investigation, leading to the phone’s return, the driver’s temporary suspension, and ongoing disciplinary reviews. Under China’s Civil Code, finders must return lost items or risk liability, with excessive reimbursement demands potentially deemed extortion. CaoCao reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, emphasizing trust and service quality as competitive priorities amid evolving regulations in China’s ride-hailing sector.

RayNeo and AutoNavi announced a strategic partnership on May 22, 2025, merging AR wearables with AI mapping to develop next-gen spatial computing solutions. Their AR glasses offer real-time navigation overlays, AI-driven POI recommendations, and proactive travel assistants, reducing smartphone reliance. Leveraging AutoNavi’s geospatial data and RayNeo’s 50% market dominance in China, the collaboration aims to mainstream AR for urban mobility and commerce. Upcoming products, including MicroLED-equipped X3 Pro glasses, will advance intelligent navigation and contextual services, positioning AR as a daily productivity tool beyond gaming novelties. The initiative reflects both companies’ vision to redefine smart city interactions through wearable AI integration.

E3 Lithium and Pure Lithium demonstrated advancements in sustainable battery technology by integrating E3’s brine-derived lithium chloride (over 99.9% purity) and Direct Lithium Extraction with Pure’s anode production. Batteries maintained 80% capacity after 500 cycles, supported fast charging, and reduced reliance on conventional mining. Their optimized process aligns with North America’s critical mineral goals, leveraging E3’s Alberta resources and Pure’s cobalt/nickel-free designs for cost-efficient, eco-friendly energy storage. This collaboration positions both as key players in advancing EV and grid battery solutions.

China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) launched a two-month nationwide campaign against corporate cyber smear activities, targeting organized defamation, extortion, market manipulation, and identity theft. Part of the 2025 “Clear and Bright” initiative, the crackdown addresses fabricated claims, “pay-to-delete” schemes, false financial narratives, and executive impersonation. The move reinforces oversight of China’s $1.5 trillion digital content moderation industry, responding to rising reputational costs (up to 9% of annual revenue for firms) and may accelerate AI-driven verification tools to enhance cybersecurity.

Xiaomi’s investment partner Pan Jiutang dismissed online “conspiracy theories” targeting its chip subsidiary Xuanjie, defending the company’s transparency and $1.9 billion semiconductor R&D investment since 2021. Following CEO Lei Jun’s 2021 dual strategy to enter EVs and revive chip development, Xuanjie has expanded its engineering team to 2,500, with 2024 R&D spending projected at $827 million. Pan emphasized this positions Xiaomi among China’s top semiconductor designers. The company also unveiled its Xuanjie O1 chip, a 3nm-process SoC claiming flagship performance to rival Qualcomm and MediaTek, while urging public support against “baseless” criticism.

Hafnia Limited, a global leader in oil and product tanker shipping, finalized Q1 2025 dividend dates, with Oslo Exchange shares ex-dividend from today and NYSE adjustments effective May 23. The announcement reflects Hafnia’s operational strength and shareholder focus amid volatile markets. Operating ~200 vessels, the Singapore-based firm provides end-to-end logistics services—including chartering and fuel procurement—for major energy clients. Supported by parent company BW Group, Hafnia maintains strategic hubs in Copenhagen, Houston, and Dubai, employing over 4,000. Its integrated fleet and market expertise reinforce its critical role in global energy transportation. (Word count: 100)

Huawei’s Enjoy 80 series, in collaboration with Kuaishou, launched *The Journey of Revival*, a short film documenting four individuals—a retiree adventurer, a fitness-focused laborer, a poet delivery rider, and a muralist—who exemplify resilience in daily life. The campaign highlights the smartphone’s features like a 6,000mAh battery, shock resistance, and wet-hand usability, framing them as tools enabling perseverance. By showcasing authentic, unpolished stories of ordinary people overcoming challenges, Huawei merges product innovation with relatable narratives, emphasizing genuine human experiences over traditional marketing tactics to foster deeper consumer connections.