Digital Economy
Technology
The illusion of independent AI: How the US and China control the machines
The clash over Anthropic reveals a deeper reality: frontier AI is inseparable from state power. While Washington reacts and Beijing plans, both are tightening control, driving a split into rival AI ecosystems. SMU academic Liang Chen shares his analysis.
Liang Chen
26 Mar 2026
Society
Xiamen: The city that gives residents a score and rewards good behaviour [Eye on Fujian series]
The familiar Minnan saying that harmony brings prosperity, is given a distinctly modern take in Xiamen’s Bailu Score (白鹭分), or “White Egret Score”. This is a personal credit score developed under the Xiamen municipal government which turns trust into usable currency in daily urban life. Economics professor Cai Xiqian explains.
Cai Xiqian
25 Mar 2026
Technology
How AI made animation a mass industry in China
By slashing costs and production times, AI has turned animation in China from a studio-led craft into a mass industry. Thousands of short drama series are now made by small teams and individual creators, says Chinese technology expert Yin Ruizhi.
Yin Ruizhi
26 Jan 2026
Technology
How China’s self-driving cars could redefine Europe’s tech rules
China’s carmakers are outpacing the West not just with cheaper EVs but with smarter strategies — adapting fast, partnering deep, and shaping the logic that will govern Europe’s autonomous future. Technopreneur Akhmad Hanan notes that Europe welcomes the tech, but fears the dependence.
Akhmad Hanan
24 Oct 2025
Economy
From outdated to unstoppable: The rise of mainland brands in Hong Kong
Compared with the overall leap in quality of mainland Chinese domestic products, Hong Kong brands have in the past few years appeared traditional and rigid, with dated reputes. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing takes a look at the appeal of mainland Chinese brands to Hong Kongers.
Tai Hing Shing
16 Oct 2025
Politics
Israel’s ‘digital bombs’: Is everyday tech becoming a weapon of war?
Israel’s digital warfare now extends from exploding pagers to cloud servers and AI tools. As global tech giants work with Israeli intelligence, academic Ma Haiyun cautions that the lines between war and civilian life — and between devices and weapons — are vanishing.
Ma Haiyun
13 Oct 2025
Society
The new rural dream: China’s urbanites seek greener pastures
Push factors from the hustle and bustle of cities and pull factors from the idyllic countryside are driving young urbanites to seek career opportunities in rural villages. Lianhe Zaobao news correspondent Yush Chau speaks with these “new villagers” to find out more about their motivations to pursue life outside big cities.
Yush Chau
19 Aug 2025
Economy
How stablecoins could revolutionise the future of money and the dollar
Stablecoins backed by government and private assets could transform global finance, challenging the dollar’s dominance and reshaping how money moves and is trusted worldwide, says Professor Pierpaolo Benigno at the University of Bern.
Pierpaolo Benigno
18 Aug 2025
Economy
[Big read] Stablecoins are reshaping global finance — Can China keep up?
With the US advancing stablecoin regulation, China is weighing its next move. The outcome could redefine the global monetary order — and the future role of the renminbi. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau talks to academics and experts about China’s options.
Yush Chau
14 Aug 2025
Technology
[Big read] From manufacturing giant to AI leader: Can Guangzhou make the leap?
Guangzhou is setting its sights on becoming China’s next hub for applied AI innovation, says Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi. However, competition is stiff, and some experts say that Guangzhou still has a long way to go before it can overtake cities like Shenzhen.
Zeng Shi
26 Jun 2025
Technology
[Big read] Can Southeast Asia challenge China’s dominance in mature chips?
With Southeast Asia already a major chip packaging and testing hub, will the region be able to rally together to move up the value chain to compete with global chip manufacturers? Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tobby Siew speaks with industry analysts to find out.
Tobby Siew Woei Yang
02 Jun 2025
Technology
Why DeepSeek chose text over images: The untold strategy behind its AI success
DeepSeek’s focus on cost-effective text processing has captivated the AI industry. As both China and the US compete and cooperate, the future of AI innovation unfolds. Technology expert Yin Ruizhi explores DeepSeek’s strategic edge for winning the race.
Yin Ruizhi
06 Mar 2025