Markets

Deep Robotics, a leader in embodied intelligence, has established a “Zhejiang Province Postdoctoral Research Station,” approved by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security. In partnership with Zhejiang University, the station offers premier research resources, a dual-mentor system, and a full-chain system for technology industrialization. This signifies a new phase in Deep Robotics’ R&D and talent development, with the first postdoctoral researcher already on board, and solidifying the company’s commitment to bridging research and industry.

The 2025 China Unicom Partner Conference in Shanghai focused on “Synergy for Real-World Impact.” Qualcomm highlighted its collaboration with China Unicom, receiving an award for contributions to the terminal ecosystem. Qualcomm showcased 5G Advanced and AI innovations across devices, emphasizing on-device AI’s growth and its impact on industries. The partnership between Qualcomm and China Unicom drives advancements in 5G-A and AI integration, enabling a robust digital ecosystem. They demonstrated AI applications, 5G-A Gigabit network capabilities, and XR experiences, paving the way for intelligent connectivity and new quality productivity.

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and CHRO Kristin Carbo are on leave pending an investigation after being filmed in a public embrace at a Coldplay concert. The incident, captured on video and shared widely online, is reportedly under board review. Both Byron and Carbo are married. Byron has apologized for the incident, which garnered attention including a reaction from Elon Musk. The concert venue displayed the couple on its large screens, prompting commentary from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

SF Express CEO Wang Wei was spotted wearing Xiaomi’s new AI glasses, sparking online buzz and jokes about him being a brand ambassador. The glasses, starting at $275, feature a 12MP camera, EIS, and long battery life claims, powered by a Snapdragon AR1 chip. However, early user reviews cite issues with low-light camera performance and shorter-than-advertised battery life. Reports indicate a high return rate of around 40% on platforms like Douyin, suggesting Xiaomi needs to address these issues.

Despite regulatory warnings from SAMR to Ele.me, Meituan, and JD.com regarding fair competition, the online food delivery subsidy war continues in China. Taobao Flash Sales maintained its “Super Saturday” promotion, but with tempered subsidies. While “zero-yuan” takeout orders were still possible, discounts were less aggressive than previous weeks. Meituan also reduced its high-value coupons. JD.com offered milder subsidies. The long-term impact of regulation on market competition is yet to be determined.

AI-generated videos are going viral, reimagining scenes from the historical drama “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” with a modern twist. One video features Diao Chan singing Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way,” while other characters like Cao Cao and Lü Bu also perform the song. The seamless fusion of historic settings and contemporary music, made possible by sophisticated AI, is drawing large audiences and sparking conversations about AI’s entertainment potential on platforms like TikTok.

China’s Ministry of Finance has revised consumption tax regulations for luxury vehicles priced at 900,000 yuan (approximately $125,000 USD) or higher, impacting both traditional and electric vehicles. The new rules take effect on July 20th, 2025, prompting a surge in demand for high-end cars, particularly brands like Porsche. Dealerships report tight inventory and a buying frenzy as consumers rush to purchase vehicles before the tax hike, potentially saving thousands of yuan.

A video of a U.S. unicorn company’s CEO and CHRO in an intimate moment at a concert, projected onto the venue’s screen, has gone viral. The video, showing the pair embracing, garnered over 35 million views on TikTok. After the incident, the CEO issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter), prompting a reaction from Elon Musk.

South Korea’s UNESCO cultural heritage nominations, including Kimchi and the Gangneung Danoje Festival, face setbacks. Five nominations are on a “pending withdrawal” list due to insufficient evidence of unique Korean origin. China has challenged these claims, presenting historical evidence suggesting earlier origins for practices like pickling, Danoje rituals, and traditional carpentry. UNESCO has requested South Korea provide independent evidence, but reportedly, the submitted documentation was inadequate. This development raises questions about South Korea’s cultural origin claims.

Battery X Metals’ subsidiary, Battery X Rebalancing Technologies, enters a Commercial Revenue Share Agreement with a Vancouver auto service center specializing in Tesla vehicles. This agreement marks the first commercial deployment of their Prototype 2.0 lithium-ion battery rebalancing machine. Battery X will receive 20% of gross service revenue per rebalancing procedure. Trials saw Prototype 2.0 restore an electric truck’s driving range from 40km to 295km, a 637.5% improvement. This collaboration generates early revenue with no direct operating expenses and validates the platform’s commercial potential.