Hangzhou

Hangzhou is emerging as a global AI hub, driven by a dual focus on advanced “physical AI”—robotics and autonomous systems—and more whimsical applications. The city’s tech scene, featuring companies like Manycore, Unitree, and Deep Robotics, is fueling China’s national AI strategy, which prioritizes embodied intelligence. While competition intensifies with the US, Hangzhou’s ecosystem benefits from lower energy costs and an open-source approach to AI development, fostering diverse innovation from practical solutions to creative digital companions.

The inheritance dispute of Wahaha’s late founder, Zong Qinghou, intensifies as individuals claiming to be his illegitimate children sue for a share of his assets. This includes a $2.1 billion trust and a significant stake in the Wahaha Group. Despite Wahaha’s initial statement that the matter is a private family affair with no impact on business, the Hangzhou Shangcheng District Finance Bureau has intervened by establishing a special task force to address complaints and resolve the issue promptly.