1. Alibaba Group Holding Limited announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.  

    “This quarter, our strategic focus on consumption and AI + Cloud delivered strong growth. Our decisive investment in the quick commerce business achieved key milestones as we won consumer mindshare. We generated substantial synergies from combining resources of our consumer platforms which resulted in new highs in monthly active consumers and daily order volume. Driven by robust AI demand, Cloud Intelligence Group experienced accelerated revenue growth, and AI-related product revenue is now a significant portion of revenue from external customers. Looking ahead, we remain committed to investing in our two strategic pillars of consumption and AI + Cloud to capture historic opportunities and drive long-term growth,” said Eddie Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Alibaba Group.

    “Our core businesses delivered strong revenue growth. Customer management revenue grew 10% and revenue from Cloud Intelligence Group grew 26%, with AI-related product revenue achieving triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. The strength of our core businesses gives us confidence and resources to make significant investments in quick commerce and AI initiatives. We also executed well against our commitment to improve operating efficiency, as AIDC significantly narrowed its loss to approach breakeven this quarter.” said Toby Xu, Chief Financial Officer of Alibaba Group.

    BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

    In the quarter ended June 30, 2025:

    Revenue was RMB247,652 million (US$34,571 million), an increase of 2% year-over-year. Excluding revenue from the disposed businesses of Sun Art and Intime, revenue on a like-for-like basis would have grown by 10% year-over-year.

    Income from operations was RMB34,988 million (US$4,884 million), a decrease of 3% year-over-year, primarily due to the decrease in adjusted EBITA, partly offset by the decrease in amortization of intangible assets, non-cash share-based compensation expense, and a one-time provision in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITA, a non-GAAP measurement, decreased 14% year-over-year to RMB38,844 million (US$5,422 million), primarily attributable to the investment in “Taobao Instant Commerce”, as well as user experiences, user acquisition and technology, partly offset by double-digit revenue growth in Alibaba China E-commerce Group, and improved operating efficiencies across various businesses.

    Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB43,116 million (US$6,019 million). Net income was RMB42,382 million (US$5,916 million), an increase of 76% year-over-year, primarily due to mark-to-market changes from our equity investments and gain from the disposal of local consumer service business of Trendyol, partly offset by the decrease in income from operations. Non-GAAP net income in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB33,510 million (US$4,678 million), a decrease of 18% compared to RMB40,691 million in the same quarter of 2024.

    Diluted earnings per ADS was RMB17.98 (US$2.51). Diluted earnings per share was RMB2.25 (US$0.31 or HK$2.47). Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS was RMB14.75 (US$2.06), a decrease of 10% year-over-year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was RMB1.84 (US$0.26 or HK$2.02), a decrease of 10% year-over-year.

    Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB20,672 million (US$2,886 million), a decrease of 39% compared to RMB33,636 million in the same quarter of 2024. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measurement of liquidity, was an outflow of RMB18,815 million (US$2,626 million), compared to an inflow of RMB17,372 million in the same quarter of 2024. The decrease in free cash flow was mainly attributed to the increase in our cloud infrastructure expenditure and the investment in “Taobao Instant Commerce”. As of June 30, 2025, our cash and other liquid investments were RMB585,663 million (US$81,755 million).

    Reconciliations of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures presented above are included at the end of this results announcement.

    BUSINESS AND STRATEGIC UPDATES

    To advance our “user first” strategy and enhance user experience, during the quarter ended June 30, 2025, we undertook a strategic combination of Taobao and Tmall Group, Ele.me and Fliggy into Alibaba China E-commerce Group. We simplified the financial reporting structure by reclassifying Cainiao, Amap and Digital Media and Entertainment Group (rebranded to Hujing Digital Media and Entertainment Group, “Hujing DME”) into “All others”. Based on this strategic re-alignment, starting from this quarter, our segment reporting will present the following: (1) Alibaba China E-commerce Group, (2) Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, (3) Cloud Intelligence Group and (4) All others.

    Alibaba China E-commerce Group

    We launched “Taobao Instant Commerce” service on the Taobao app at the end of April to meet consumer needs for on-demand delivery across a wide range of product categories, including food, groceries, electronics and apparel. This initiative strengthened the Taobao app’s leadership in China’s e-commerce industry. Our significant investment in quick commerce focused on building consumer mindshare and business scale, which contributed to the 25% year-over-year increase in monthly active consumers on the Taobao app in the first three weeks of August. As part of our quick commerce strategy, we expanded our product offerings and front warehouse coverage for non-food categories. While continuing to improve user experience and enhance operating efficiency, we executed our plan to generate synergies between quick commerce and the rest of Alibaba’s ecosystem by leveraging supply chains, users and membership benefits across our businesses.

    Customer management revenue grew 10% year-over-year to RMB89,252 million (US$12,459 million) during the quarter, primarily driven by the improvement of take rate, which benefited from the addition of software service fees in September last year and increasing penetration of Quanzhantui.  

    We had a successful 6.18 Shopping Festival, which delivered strong consumer growth year-over-year on the Taobao app, as we implemented user-friendly promotion mechanisms and increased support for merchants that provide high-quality products and customer services.  The number of 88VIP members, our highest spending consumer group, continued to increase by double digits year-over-year, surpassing 53 million. We will continue to focus on improving the retention of 88VIP membership through enhanced value proposition to our most valued customers.

    Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (“AIDC”)

    For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, revenue from AIDC grew 19% year-over-year to RMB34,741 million (US$4,850 million), primarily driven by strong performance in cross-border businesses. While maintaining a strategic emphasis on key regions, AIDC remained focused on operating efficiency, leading to significantly narrowed losses year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter. The unit economics of the AliExpress’ Choice business continued to improve meaningfully, primarily due to logistics optimization and investment efficiency enhancement. The unit economics of Trendyol’s International business also improved quarter-over-quarter.

    AIDC’s international commerce retail businesses, AliExpress and Trendyol in particular, continued to diversify and enrich product offerings by engaging local merchants and partners through different business models in different markets. Our international wholesale platform saw broader adoption by merchants of its AI-powered tools for marketing, procurement and product listing, which provided multiple ways for the platform to monetize. We believe that our diverse businesses, comprehensive product offerings and technological strengths across geographies will bring competitive advantages in the long run set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global e-commerce landscape.

    Cloud Intelligence Group

    For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, revenue from Cloud Intelligence Group was RMB33,398 million (US$4,662 million), an increase of 26% year-over-year. During this quarter, the year-over-year growth of revenue excluding Alibaba-consolidated subsidiaries also accelerated to 26%. This momentum was primarily driven by public cloud revenue growth, including the increasing adoption of AI-related products.  

    AI-related product revenue maintained triple-digit year-over-year growth for the eighth consecutive quarter. As AI demand continues to grow rapidly, we are also seeing increased demand of compute, storage and other public cloud services to support AI adoption. We will continue to invest in anticipation of customer growth and technology innovation, including AI products and services, to increase cloud adoption for AI and maintain our market leadership.  Alibaba Cloud’s strong position in providing critical infrastructure for the GenAI market has been highlighted in Omdia’s “Market Radar: GenAI Cloud Titans in Asia & Oceania 2025” report, which pointed to our full-stack GenAI solutions, comprehensive and developer-friendly AI platform offering and open-source initiatives. The report emphasized that through Model Studio and Platform for AI (PAI), Alibaba Cloud offers enterprises a user-friendly environment for building and deploying GenAI applications.

    Share Repurchases

    During the quarter ended June 30, 2025, we repurchased a total of 56 million ordinary shares (equivalent to 7 million ADSs) for a total of US$815 million. These purchases were made in the U.S. market under our share repurchase program. The remaining amount of Board authorization for our share repurchase program, which is effective through March 2027, was US$19.3 billion as of June 30, 2025.

    JUNE QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS

    Revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB247,652 million (US$34,571 million), an increase of 2% year-over-year compared to RMB243,236 million in the same quarter of 2024. Excluding revenue from the disposed businesses of Sun Art and Intime, revenue on a like-for-like basis would have grown by 10% year-over-year.

    Alibaba China E-commerce Group

    (i) Segment revenue

    E-commerce Business

    Revenue from our E-commerce business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB118,577 million (US$16,552 million), an increase of 9% compared to RMB108,522 million in the same quarter of 2024.  

    Customer management revenue increased by 10% year-over-year, primarily driven by the improvement of take rate.

    Direct sales, logistics and others revenue under E-commerce business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB29,325 million (US$4,093 million), an increase of 7% compared to RMB27,434 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily driven by the increase in revenue from logistics services, partly offset by the decrease in direct sales revenue as a result of our planned reduction of certain direct sales businesses.

    Quick Commerce Business

    Revenue from our Quick commerce business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB14,784 million (US$2,064 million), an increase of 12% compared to RMB13,196 million in the same quarter of 2024, mainly due to order growth as a result of the rollout of “Taobao Instant Commerce” at the end of April 2025.

    China Commerce Wholesale Business

    Revenue from our China commerce wholesale business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB6,711 million (US$937 million), an increase of 13% compared to RMB5,952 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in revenue from value-added services provided to paying members.

    (ii) Segment adjusted EBITA

    Alibaba China E-commerce Group adjusted EBITA decreased by 21% to RMB38,389 million (US$5,359 million) in the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to RMB48,753 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to the investment in “Taobao Instant Commerce”, as well as user experiences, user acquisition and technology, partly offset by double-digit revenue growth in Alibaba China E-commerce Group.

    Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group  

    (i) Segment revenue  

    International Commerce Retail Business

    Revenue from our International commerce retail business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB28,395 million (US$3,964 million), an increase of 20% compared to RMB23,691 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily driven by the increase in revenue contributed by AliExpress and Trendyol. As certain of our international businesses generate revenue in local currencies while our reporting currency is Renminbi, AIDC’s revenue is affected by exchange rate fluctuations.

    International Commerce Wholesale Business

    Revenue from our International commerce wholesale business in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was RMB6,346 million (US$886 million), an increase of 13% compared to RMB5,602 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in revenue generated by cross-border related value-added services.

    (ii) Segment adjusted EBITA

    Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group adjusted EBITA was a loss of RMB59 million (US$8 million) in the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to a loss of RMB3,706 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to significant improvement in AliExpress’ operating efficiency, and enhanced efficiency across various businesses including Alibaba.com, Lazada and Trendyol.

    Cloud Intelligence Group  

    (i) Segment revenue

    Revenue from Cloud Intelligence Group was RMB33,398 million (US$4,662 million) in the quarter ended June 30, 2025, an increase of 26% compared to RMB26,549 million in the same quarter of 2024. Overall revenue excluding Alibaba-consolidated subsidiaries increased by 26% year-over-year, primarily driven by public cloud revenue growth, including the increasing adoption of AI-related products.

    (ii) Segment adjusted EBITA

    Cloud Intelligence Group adjusted EBITA increased by 26% to RMB2,954 million (US$412 million) in the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to RMB2,337 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to public cloud revenue growth and improving operating efficiency, partly offset by the increasing investments in customer growth and technology innovation.

    All Others  

    (i) Segment revenue

    Revenue from All others segment was RMB58,599 million (US$8,180 million) in the quarter ended June 30, 2025, a decrease of 28% compared to RMB81,354 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to the revenue decrease as a result of disposal of Sun Art and Intime businesses, as well as the decrease in revenue from Cainiao, partly offset by the increase in revenue from Freshippo, Alibaba Health and Amap.

    (ii) Segment adjusted EBITA

    Adjusted EBITA from All others segment in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was a loss of RMB1,415 million (US$198 million), compared to a loss of RMB1,077 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to the increased investment in technology businesses, partly offset by the improved operating results of Freshippo, Amap, Hujing DME and Alibaba Health.

    Please See Full Earnings Report

    https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250828875486/en/Alibaba-Group-Announces-June-Quarter-2025-Results

    Source: Alibaba Group Holding Limited  Aug 29, 2025 5:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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  2. (Xinhua) China aims to achieve breakthroughs in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in key sectors by 2027, an official said on Friday when outlining the country's latest efforts to accelerate AI development.  

    At a press briefing, Huo Fupeng, director of the innovation-driven development center under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), described the coming one to two years as a "critical window" for AI deployment. He urged the mobilization of resources across society to drive progress in six priority areas: science and technology, industry, consumption, public welfare, governance, and global cooperation.

    Huo's remarks came as China published a set of guidelines earlier this week on deeply implementing the "AI Plus" initiative, which lays out a systemic approach to strengthen AI supportive infrastructure and accelerate the integration of AI technology across economic and social domains.  

    The new policy document is a key step in cultivating new quality productive forces and a necessary move for promoting the digital economy's transformation into a smart economy and an intelligent society, according to Huo.

    The document outlines three milestone goals. By 2027, new-generation intelligent terminals and agents are expected to reach a penetration rate of more than 70 percent, with the core industries of the intelligent economy expanding rapidly. By 2030, that penetration rate should surpass 90 percent, enabling AI to become a significant economic driver. By 2035, China aims to fully enter a new phase of an intelligent economy and intelligent social development.  

    The NDRC emphasized that the latest move is only the first step, which will be followed by a mix of policy tools, financial support and institutional innovation.

    Zhang Kailin, deputy director of the NDRC's department of innovation and high-tech development, said the NDRC will introduce more detailed sector-specific plans and clearer policy guidance, while expediting the development of standards to promote data sharing, model interoperability and coordinated growth of AI systems.  

    He also stressed the importance of government-led investment to support AI innovation, including optimizing the distribution of computing resources to reduce R&D costs, building shared technology platforms, expanding the application in critical scenarios, and promoting the use of AI-enabled products among the public. 

    Source: Xinhua  2025-08-29 16:42:30

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  3. (China Daily) China's high-tech manufacturing sector drove a strong rebound in industrial corporate profitability in July, with aerospace, semiconductors and biopharmaceuticals leading the recovery and underscoring the country's push toward advanced technologies and greater self-reliance, official data showed on Wednesday.  

    Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that profits of high-tech manufacturing industries surged 18.9 percent year-on-year in July, reversing the 0.9 percent drop in June.  

    According to the NBS, China's industrial profits continued to decline in July, but at a slower pace, suggesting a gradual stabilization across the broader economic landscape.  

    Analysts said the latest data indicates that innovation is steering industrial enterprises toward higher value-added segments, while government efforts to rein in rat-race competition are beginning to ease strains from cutthroat pricing and overcapacity in certain sectors.

    Looking forward, they expect the recovery in corporate earnings to gain further traction, underpinned by stronger policy support and an improving business environment. They added that the momentum points to a sustained rebound in the broader economy through the remainder of the year.  

    "The performance of industrial enterprises has continued to improve this year, with a more evident trend of profit recovery," said Tang Guanghua, an analyst at Shen­yin & Wanguo Futures Co.  

    "Notably, rapid profit growth in the high-tech manufacturing sector suggests that innovation is driving industrial firms toward higher value-added fields."  

    Investor sentiment mirrored the momentum in advanced industries.  

    On Wednesday, Chinese AI chipmaker Cambricon Technologies briefly overtook liquor giant Kweichow Moutai to become the country's most valuable onshore stock. Cambricon's shares rose nearly 10 percent in intraday trading to over 1,460 yuan ($204) per share before closing at 1,372.1 yuan, up 3.24 percent from the previous day.

    NBS data showed that the semiconductor industry was among the strongest contributors.  

    Profits in integrated circuit manufacturing surged 176.1 percent last month, while semiconductor equipment makers saw earnings jump 104.5 percent, the NBS said.  

    The biopharmaceutical sector also maintained solid momentum, with profits climbing 36.3 percent in biomedicine manufacturing and 6.9 percent in chemical drug formulation in July.  

    "Overall, as macroeconomic policies continue to take effect and the market environment improves, industrial companies are expected to sustain their profit recovery, which will bolster the high-quality growth of the industrial economy," Tang added.

    In July, major industrial enterprises saw their total profits dip 1.5 percent year-on-year, following a 4.3 percent decline in June.  

    For the January-July period, China's industrial profits dropped 1.7 percent year-on-year to 4.02 trillion yuan after a 1.8 percent decline in the first half.  

    NBS statistician Yu Weining attributed the improvement to the steady growth in industrial output, supported by policy efforts to stabilize prices and boost demand.  

    Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said that China's industrial profits are likely to continue a moderate recovery in the coming months, as the impact of extreme weather fades, supply and demand gradually normalize, and both orders and production regain momentum.  

    "Industrial profits could see a mild year-on-year increase in a single month, while cumulative growth maintains a steady upward trajectory," he said.

    Source: By Ouyang Shijia | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-08-28 00:14

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  4. (China Daily) A major national open innovation platform for artificial intelligence has been unveiled to leverage the collective strength of State-owned enterprises and the broader industrial chain for accelerating the development of the AI sector in China.  

    Guided by ministries including the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the platform is roughly translated as AI Huanxin and is being spearheaded by telecom operator China Mobile.  

    Positioned as an open-source platform to serve society, it brings together leading central SOEs, private-sector champions, and innovative research and development institutions.

    It offers a comprehensive channel for businesses of all sizes, universities, research bodies, and individual developers to access AI resources, including domestic large language models and chips, China Mobile said.  

    China Mobile Chairman Yang Jie said the platform delivers full-cycle services to society — spanning computing power scheduling, data processing, model training and deployment, and application development — accelerating the technological and ecosystem maturity of domestic AI chips and foundational models.  

    A cornerstone offering is its release of 40 strategic high-value AI scenarios drawn from 16 key industries, providing invaluable reference models for industrial AI applications.

    The platform delivers six core functionalities through a comprehensive suite of resources. It aggregates substantial computing power, including over 2,000 domestically produced AI accelerator cards contributed by China's three major telecom operators.  

    For AI development, it hosts an extensive model repository containing 274 open-source models alongside 10 proprietary technology models. Its data resources encompass five types of general datasets — including text, image, video and audio — plus 13 industry-specific datasets covering sectors such as telecommunications, petrochemicals, energy, defense, agriculture and finance, China Mobile said.  

    The platform has already attracted significant participation from over 90 enterprises, more than 50 universities, and over 20 organizations, including more than 10 central SOEs, China Mobile added.

    Concurrently, a key institutional development marked the event with the inauguration of China Mobile Jiutian Artificial Intelligence Technology Co Ltd.  

    The Jiutian team possesses a distinguished 12-year track record in scaling AI applications within the information and communications technology sector. Facing rapid global AI advancements in 2023, the team achieved a significant breakthrough by developing the Jiutian foundational large model — notable as the first central SOE model to receive dual certification from the Cyberspace Administration of China for both its service offerings and underlying algorithms.  

    Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said the scarcity of industry data sets available for application and inefficient supply of computing power are two obstacles for China's AI development.

    The platform spearheaded by China Mobile will accelerate the development of the AI sector, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, Xiang added.  

    Xie Shaofeng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference earlier this month that China will ramp up efforts to accelerate the application of AI in manufacturing as well as other key industries.  

    The nation has nurtured and open-sourced AI-powered large language models, with stepped-up adoption across various industries including electronics and consumer goods, Xie said, highlighting that AI mobile phones, AI computers and AI glasses have become new growth points driving economic development.

    Source: By Ma Si | China Daily | Updated: 2025-07-30 09:50

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  5. (Xinhua) BYD announced on Monday that its Thailand plant has officially exported the first batch of BYD DOLPHIN electric vehicles (EVs) to the European market, totaling over 900 units, with destinations including Britain, Germany and Belgium.  

    The export operation was carried out by BYD's own vessel, the "BYD ZHENGZHOU," which has set sail from Thailand to Europe for the first time, marking a further enhancement of BYD's global supply chain and highlighting Thailand's role in the global automotive landscape as a regional production hub and export gateway for EVs.  

    In his speech, Phonnathorn Vongprom, director of the fourth Regional Investment and Economic Center from Thailand's Board of Investments, said BYD's decision to export EVs from Thailand to Europe demonstrates the strong economic links between Thailand and international markets.

    He added that the Thai government will continue to promote and support such investments to strengthen the domestic value chain, enhance technological capabilities, and solidify Thailand's position in the global EV industry.  

    Yuphin Boonsirichan, chairwoman of the Automotive Industry Club, Federation of Thai Industries, said that this milestone reflects BYD's strong confidence in Thailand and reaffirms the country's importance in the global electric vehicle supply chain, highlighting Thailand's capability to become a global connection for EV production and exports.  

    "Following the delivery of our 90,000th NEV in July, we are once again achieving a breakthrough. The export of Thailand-produced DOLPHIN models to Europe for the first time not only represents another step forward in BYD's globalization strategy, but also underscores Thailand's vital role in the global EV supply chain," said Ke Yubin, general manager of BYD Thailand.

    As a key part of BYD's global production network, BYD's Thailand plant, located in Rayong Province, integrates local supply chains and demonstrates BYD's advanced manufacturing expertise. It not only serves domestic demand but also supports exports to Europe and other global markets, reinforcing Thailand's role as a strategic hub in the worldwide EV industry. 

    Source: Xinhua  2025-08-26 10:50:16

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  6. (Xinhua) Beijing has unveiled a plan to accelerate the integration of 5G and industrial internet, targeting the construction of at least 20 5G factories by 2027.  

    According to the Beijing 5G+ industrial internet innovation development implementation plan (2025-2027), jointly released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Beijing Communications Administration, the city will also establish no fewer than 50 5G industry-specific networks and cultivate an equal number of suppliers of comprehensive and industry-specific 5G application solutions.

    Priority will be given to optimizing 5G network coverage in key manufacturing zones and enterprise-dense areas, with deployments of industrial 5G private networks and 5G-Advanced (5G-A).  

    Leading companies in sectors such as electronics, automobiles, equipment and biopharmaceuticals will drive the construction of 5G factories, said the economy and information technology bureau.  

    Beijing will also promote technological innovation by validating 5G applications in fields including industrial manufacturing, connected vehicles and healthcare. The city plans to advance the research and preliminary deployment of 6G in industrial settings. 

    Source: Xinhua  2025-08-27 19:06:11

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  7. (China Daily) As morning light sweeps across Shenzhen's skyline, the skyscrapers that have replaced the old fishing boats gleam in the sun. At the city's core, the "Pioneering Bull" stands as a testament to the city's relentless innovation and drive — qualities that have shaped its evolution into a global hub since its designation as China's first special economic zone 45 years ago.  

    "Technological innovation is not only a defining feature of Shenzhen, but also its flagship brand. From the government to businesses and individuals, the city attaches great importance to advancing innovation," said Zhang Lin, head of the city's science, technology and innovation bureau.  

    According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics late last year, Shenzhen's total research and development investment reached 223.66 billion yuan ($32.7 billion) in 2023, up 18.9 percent year-on-year — marking nine consecutive years of double-digit growth.  

    Notably, local enterprises contributed 93.3 percent of the total number, the highest share among all Chinese cities.

    Among Shenzhen SEZ's many innovative trailblazers is Orbbec, Asia's first company to mass-produce 3D vision sensors.  

    Known as the "eyes" of robots, these sensors give machines the ability to perceive complex environments, avoid obstacles with precision, and navigate autonomously.  

    Like many cutting-edge technologies, advances in robotics and AI vision rely on heavy investment in fundamental research and development.  

    According to the company, between 2022 and the first half of this year, Orbbec invested nearly 1 billion yuan in R&D. As a result, it had secured 1,112 patents in 3D vision perception by the end of June 2025.

    "From core sensor technologies to underlying chips and downstream application algorithms, we have built a full-stack layout for 3D sensing. This is the key to sustaining our competitiveness in the field," said Chen Bin, chief financial officer of Orbbec.  

    Chen said Shenzhen's innovation-driven environment, well-established industrial ecosystem and rich talent pool built over the years have all provided strong momentum for the company's growth.  

    "In fact, when we chose Shenzhen at the very beginning, it was because of the city's strong atmosphere of pioneering and innovation. We usually require talent across multiple fields such as chips, algorithms, electronics, engineering and more. Decades of accumulation in Shenzhen have created fertile ground for attracting such professionals."

    Beyond components and software technologies, the pioneering city is also making strides in the broader field of humanoid robots.  

    EngineAI, a Shenzhen-based robotics manufacturer, recently announced with its partners that they will hold the world's first full-size humanoid robot combat tournament in the city in December.  

    The company said participating robots should be full-sized, capable of simulating human motion patterns, executing combative actions under defined rules, and responding to dynamic environments through intelligent decision-making systems.

    "Robot combat demonstrates the comprehensive capabilities of humanoids — from motion control and environmental perception to computing power and algorithms," said Yao Aiwen, co-founder of EngineAI.  

    "Organizing such an event can help not only accelerate technological progress, but also test how well the industry ecosystem is working on final applications," Yao said.  

    Yao emphasized that supply chain support is critical in robotics manufacturing, where components require constant optimization, and Shenzhen offers precisely this foundation.  

    "Here, we get to optimize or upgrade component parts in just two hours. Some of our suppliers are even located in the same building, making collaboration incredibly efficient," he said.

    From precision components to end-user applications, Shenzhen now boasts a complete robotics industry chain.  

    In 2024, the city was home to 74,032 robotics enterprises, with the sector's total output value surpassing 200 billion yuan for the first time, official data showed.  

    In terms of the embodied intelligent robotics sector, the city aims to expand related industries to over 100 billion yuan in scale, and foster more than 1,200 enterprises in the embodied robotics cluster, according to its action plan for embodied intelligent robotics (2025-27).

    However, Shenzhen is not stopping there. Innovation is reshaping not only tech products, but also the ecosystem of services surrounding them.  

    On July 28, the world's first "6S store" for robots opened in Shenzhen's Longgang district. Expanding on the traditional "4S store" model in the automotive sector, the new format incorporates "lease" and "customized" modules to create a six-in-one lifecycle service system — sales, spare parts, service, surveys, lease and customized — aiming to redefine service standards for the robotics industry.  

    "The 6S store breaks down the 'glass wall' between R&D and market application. It helps companies understand what the market demands and helps users see what technology can deliver. Ultimately, this pushes robots from being laboratory products to becoming everyday essentials," said Zhao Bingbing, head of Longgang's artificial intelligence (robotics) administration.

    As the country's first government agency dedicated to AI, the administration represents an innovative combination of government agencies, research institutions and industry associations, Zhao said, adding that it was first established to advance the AI and robotics sectors while also meeting the evolving need of enterprises.  

    "Many companies come to us seeking funding or supportive policies, but don't know which department to approach. Our role is to bridge industry needs with government resources, addressing their challenges directly," the official explained.

    The momentum is unfolding at a historic moment. Over the past 45 years, the SEZ has grown from a GDP of just 270 million yuan in 1980 to 3.68 trillion yuan in 2024, an increase of more than 10,000-fold.  

    As Shenzhen marks the 45th anniversary of its special economic zone and the fifth year of its comprehensive reform pilot, the city is embarking on a new journey.  

    In June, a set of guidelines released by the central authorities highlighted a new batch of measures for the SEZ to pioneer the development of a modernized, globally oriented and innovation-driven city.  

    The guidelines call for launching a new wave of reform measures, rolling out fresh innovation trials and deepening opening-up initiatives, in an effort to break institutional barriers in education, science and talent development; strengthen the integration of innovation, industry, capital and talent chains; and explore new cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    At a news conference themed around the guidelines, Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, highlighted Shenzhen's unique role as a pioneer of China's reform and opening-up.  

    With its advantages in leading development, abundant reform scenarios and favorable conditions for breakthroughs, Shenzhen SEZ has launched a series of exploratory measures in institutional opening-up, scientific innovation, talent development and governance models, Li said.  

    "These reform initiatives carry distinct originality and pioneering value, and their outcomes will play an important role in setting an example nationwide."

    Source: By Li Jiaying | China Daily | Updated: 2025-08-26 09:57

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  8. (China Daily) Shanghai aims to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing in the coming years, a move expected to boost new industrialization, strengthen new quality productive forces, and position China as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, experts said.  

    An implementation plan to accelerate the development of "AI + Manufacturing" was announced on Tuesday by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, along with the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and Shanghai's municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.  

    The plan calls for deeper integration of AI with the manufacturing sector, boosting new industrialization and fostering new quality productive forces.

    The plan also outlines specific targets, including enabling 3,000 manufacturing enterprises to adopt smart applications, developing 10 industry benchmark models and 100 flagship intelligent products and promoting 100 demonstration application scenarios.  

    Xie Haiqin, deputy general manager of COSMOPlat, outlined three new prospects in the action plan.  

    "First is the opportunity to build new factories. For companies planning new facilities, the implementation plan promotes 'AI +Manufacturing' factories, allowing firms to integrate advanced technologies to create smarter, more efficient plants and achieve a leap in production models.  

    "Second is the potential for product intelligence upgrades and end-to-end empowerment. Companies integrating AI into daily operations can develop 'AI+' industrial software, products, and equipment to enhance product intelligence and functionality.  

    "Third is the chance for coordinated industrial ecosystem development. For our company, this means providing digital twin and intelligent agent tools to support the rollout of '10 industry benchmark models' and '100 demonstration scenarios'."

    COSMOPlat is the industrial internet platform of Chinese home appliance company Haier Group.  

    Shanghai's plan calls for the establishment of about 10 "AI +Manufacturing" demonstration factories, development of around five integrated service providers, and cultivation of a group of competitive specialized service firms, in a bid to forge a comprehensive ecosystem for intelligent manufacturing.  

    Jia Wei, associate director for academic affairs at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said the city, as a national hub for scientific research, enjoys advantages in both artificial intelligence and manufacturing.

    "The city holds a leading position in sectors such as aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding and high-end equipment. Meanwhile, its strength in AI lies in its strong research capacity, a large talent pool, and a concentration of leading institutions, which jointly create favorable conditions for scaling up innovations and setting national examples," Jia said.  

    "If the three-year plan meets its targets, including enabling 3,000 enterprises to adopt smart applications and developing 10 industry benchmarks, it is expected to foster a group of competitive service providers and give an unprecedented boost to the integration of AI and manufacturing across China," Jia added.  

    Jia's views were echoed by Duanmu Haiying, director of the Shanghai MetaNow Metaverse Industry Promotion Center.

    Duanmu said she believes artificial intelligence is one of Shanghai's three leading industries and has already built a solid foundation for "AI+" applications.  

    "So far, nearly 100 large models have been registered, industrial internet platforms connect more than 16 million devices, and the city leads the nation in 5G base station density," she said.  

    According to Duanmu, Shanghai is home to one-third of China's AI professionals, and by July 2024, the number of industrial manufacturing enterprises in the city had exceeded 80,000, "giving Shanghai confidence in meeting the plan's targets by 2028".  

    However, there are still some challenges ahead in meeting the goal.

    "Developing practical, scalable products and solutions, along with a sustainable intelligent manufacturing ecosystem, will require a large pool of talent skilled in both AI and manufacturing," she said. 

    "Challenges also remain in connecting industrial equipment, standardizing data, and managing unstructured information. Another key issue is how to develop cost-effective 'AI+' solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturers," Duanmu said.  

    Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for the sector's next phase, she added.  

    According to Jia, the upgrade is seen as a step toward transforming China from a major manufacturing country into a leading power in smart manufacturing.  

    "By focusing on data, models and closed-loop application scenarios, the plan aims to move the sector from isolated intelligent functions to full-chain smart manufacturing. This, in turn, is expected to position China's intelligent manufacturing as a global benchmark," Jia added.

    Source: By Wang Ying in Shanghai | China Daily | Updated: 2025-08-21 09:44
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  9. (China Daily) More than 40 national-level key laboratories will relocate to Beijing's Changping district, bolstering the capital's ambition to become a global hub for science and technology, according to district head Liu Xiaodong.  

    "Benefiting from the move, Changping is expected to become a new high-tech engine in China as well as in the world," he said.  

    Bordering the city's high-tech center of Haidian, Changping already hosts one-third of Beijing's national key laboratories and has the largest concentration of universities and working-age talent in the capital.

    The district has mapped out a series of blueprints for the towns of Nankou and Machikou, borrowing experience from prestigious universities including Harvard, Cambridge and Standford, he said.  

    "We aim to build two towns into 'scientist towns'," Liu said.  

    In Nankou, Changping and Tsinghua University have jointly developed a major national research base, completing planning, design, construction and delivery within two years. The first phase has opened with two laboratories already operational, while an interdisciplinary innovation institute has launched 11 technology transfer projects, including Xingyu Aerospace. The second phase is due to be completed by year-end, making it the largest and most concentrated cluster of national key laboratories outside Tsinghua's main campus.  

    In Machikou, Changping is working with Peking University's "New Campus + New Engineering" initiative to build another laboratory cluster. The first nine facilities are expected to be topped out by the end of the year, he said.

    Source: By Yang Cheng | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-08-28 15:10

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  10. (Xinhua) Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun on Monday unveiled plaques for 15 national key laboratories in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), marking a significant step toward enhancing scientific collaboration between the city and the mainland.  

    At the ceremony, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasized the HKSAR government's commitment to establish Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub. He highlighted the importance of actively involving Hong Kong's educational institutions and laboratories in national scientific research programs to enhance research capabilities and accelerate integration into the national innovation system. The 15 awarded laboratories, affiliated with top global universities, underscored Hong Kong's research strength.  

    Yin noted that the step signified national recognition and trust in Hong Kong's research capabilities, innovation potential, and development prospects. He encouraged the laboratories to pursue significant original innovations and breakthroughs in critical technologies, thereby contributing to the broader national development strategy.  

    Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said that the "one country, two systems" practice has entered a new phase, stressing the need to prioritize technological innovation to support high-quality development.

    Source: Xinhua  2025-08-26 04:04:45

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