China

Cambricon, a Chinese semiconductor firm, reported significant revenue and profit growth in the first half of the year, driven by the increasing demand for AI chips. This surge reflects China’s strategic push for domestic AI chip alternatives to Nvidia amidst potential US export restrictions. While Nvidia still dwarfs Cambricon in overall revenue, the Chinese government’s support and diversified sourcing strategies are boosting Cambricon’s prospects. The company is focused on improving its software to compete more effectively. However, export controls pose a challenge to long-term technological advancement.

China’s electricity consumption surpassed 1 trillion kilowatt-hours in July, a new record, driven by extreme weather and economic recovery. This figure equals Japan’s annual consumption and rivals the US’s Q1 consumption. Overall electricity consumption from January to July rose 4.5% year-on-year to 5.8633 trillion kilowatt-hours. Primary, secondary, and tertiary industries saw increases of 10.8%, 2.8%, and 7.8% respectively. Residential consumption also increased by 7.6%. China’s power supply system remains stable despite peak demand.

A “Lu Xun-inspired knitted vest” from People’s Literature Publishing House is trending on Weibo. Dubbed “literary armor,” it’s seen as a symbol of intellectuality. Lu Xun’s grandson, Zhou Lingfei, views such popularization as positive for cultural preservation, but expressed concern about disrespectful caricatures of Lu Xun. Lu Xun’s enduring influence is evident in his works being included in Chinese school textbooks.

Nvidia is actively pursuing strategies to maintain its presence in the Chinese market despite potential losses from the halted H20 chip. CEO Jensen Huang confirmed ongoing discussions with the U.S. government regarding exporting a more advanced chip. Reports suggest Nvidia is developing a new AI chip, B30A, tailored for China, potentially exceeding H20’s performance. This follows Huang’s expressed desire to sell more advanced chips there. These efforts come amidst security concerns raised in China regarding potential vulnerabilities in Nvidia chips, which the company denies.

A man from Yanji, China, inadvertently injected insulin with the needle cover on for a month. He only realized his mistake after watching an online video, discovering he had skipped the crucial step of removing the protective cap. Despite the improper administration, his blood sugar surprisingly decreased due to diet and exercise. This incident highlights the critical need for better patient education on proper injection techniques, as studies show over 50% of Chinese diabetic patients make similar errors. The story emphasizes the importance of reading instructions and seeking proper guidance to avoid ineffective treatment.

Nvidia is reportedly developing a new AI chip, the B30A, for China, aiming to outperform its current H20 offering while complying with US export controls. Utilizing its Blackwell architecture with a single-die design, the B30A is expected to have roughly half the performance of the B300. Nvidia is also purportedly creating an RTX6000D chip for AI inference in China. These moves reflect Nvidia’s strategy to maintain a presence in the critical Chinese market amid US-China trade tensions and regulatory scrutiny. Samples of the B30A may be sent next month.

Ahead of Xiaomi’s EV entry, Lei Jun consulted Li Auto CEO Li Xiang for advice, revealed on a Chinese business show. Their two-hour phone call covered Tesla, BYD, and Huawei, with Li Xiang urging Lei Jun to be fully involved. Li Xiang also mentioned frequent gatherings with other EV leaders like Nio’s William Li and Xpeng’s He Xiaopeng, emphasizing “mutual candor” and open communication within China’s competitive EV market, including sharing beneficial, albeit sometimes uncomfortable, advice.

A video on Douyin showing a woman in Jiangsu province running a red light on a bicycle and then defiantly questioning her violation has sparked widespread online debate in China. The near-collision highlights issues with traffic law enforcement and road safety awareness. Under Chinese law, cyclists must obey traffic signals, and violators are liable for damages in accidents. Authorities have reiterated the need for education and enforcement, especially with the increasing use of e-bikes in urban areas.

A dashcam video from Kaifeng, China, shows a truck driver subtly preventing a car from overtaking, averting a potential accident. The truck driver, Gao Chong, noticed oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane and acted proactively to protect the smaller vehicle. After the road cleared, Gao allowed the car to pass safely. The video went viral, sparking widespread praise on social media for Gao’s responsible driving and highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures on the road.

China’s NRTA is implementing new measures to enrich television content, including a “Content Revitalization Plan.” This plan aims to boost content creation through refined management policies, streamlined review processes, UHD programming prioritization, and encouragement of documentaries, animations, and micro-dramas. They’ll also promote international programs and strengthen copyright protection. This initiative follows the surge in popularity of micro-dramas, which reached 662 million viewers and a market value exceeding China’s total annual box office revenue.