Lee Kuo Ai
Senior Writer, Business News, Lianhe ZaobaoArticles by Lee Kuo Ai
Technology
Pudu Robotics founder Zhang Tao: Humanoid robots will be bigger than cars
Pudu Robotics founder Zhang Tao predicts humanoid robots will outgrow the auto industry. Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Lee Kuo Ai talks with him about his journey from a university passion to his third start-up and the pandemic-driven shift to delivery and service robots.
Lee Kuo Ai
29 Jan 2026
Economy
Miniso: In the business of joy and emotional connections
From adopting a “glocal” strategy, to crafting a “cultural retail” model, Miniso is taking the world by storm, with Singapore as a springboard. Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Lee Kuo Ai speaks with Miniso’s chief marketing officer, Robin Liu, to find out how the company looks to build brand awareness across borders, even amid US-China trade tensions.
Lee Kuo Ai
29 Dec 2025
Technology
The future is intelligent: How Ant Group plans to transform healthcare with AI
Ant Group is known more for its Alipay digital payment system, but recently it has been pivoting to healthcare, assisted by AI. Ant Group Chief Technology Officer He Zhengyu speaks with Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Lee Kuo Ai on what makes this new chapter of Ant Group worth watching.
Lee Kuo Ai
26 Nov 2025
Society
The qipao & the gavel: A conversation with Christie’s Liang-lin Chen
Charismatic, elegant and accomplished, Christie’s Liang-lin Chen has captivated social media with her magnetic personality and vast expertise in Chinese ceramics and art. Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Lee Kuo Ai discusses the world of auctions and art with the Taiwanese-born auctioneer.
Lee Kuo Ai
18 Jul 2025
Economy
[Big read] Big business in little blind boxes
Lianhe Zaobao journalist Lee Kuo Ai takes a look at the trending blind box market, its appeal to Gen Z and millennials, and companies’ forays into the space. From elements of surprise to instant gratifications, even with those involving luxury brands, this lucrative consumer phenomenon seems to be here to stay.
Lee Kuo Ai
06 Jun 2024
Economy
Is Chinese retailer Miniso's 400% stock rally sustainable?
A 400% price jump in the past year has made Miniso Group Holding Ltd. the best-performing stock on the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index. Zaobao journalist Lee Kuo Ai speaks to Robin Liu, chief marketing officer of lifestyle brand Miniso, to find out more about the secret behind its stellar stock price rise, how IP collaborations have helped it to turn in strong performances within and outside of China, and how it plans on tackling the challenges ahead.
Lee Kuo Ai
23 Oct 2023
Society
'A wall full of Be@rbricks is worth as much as an apartment in China'
A Be@rbrick figure, named after auteur Stanley Kubric and first created by Japanese toy maker Tatsuhiko Akashi, can be worth thousands of dollars and finds fans from Japan to China to Singapore. Even celebrities like Jay Chou, JJ Lin, Lee Chong Wei, Z Tao, and G-Dragon are avid collectors. Chances are that you have seen these bears sporting their portly bellies without paying them much attention. In fact, these adorable and fashionable bears have become collectibles and an alternative investment. So, what makes Be@rbrick figures so highly sought after?
Lee Kuo Ai
24 Mar 2023