Innovation

Is an AI slowdown for the good of man or business?

​Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wants the AI industry to slow down. Is the call for stricter regulation purely about existential safety, or does it also protect incumbent market power? Academic Ruay-Shiung Chang analyses the issue.

Ruay-Shiung Chang

28 Sep 2026

Vivian Balakrishnan: Upholding the rule of law in a fragmenting world

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan made the case for enduring multilateralism while delivering Singapore’s national statement at the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on 26 September. He spoke about complying with international law and the norms of multilateralism; reforming existing institutions where needed; and collectively formulating new rules and institutions for new technologies, including possibly establishing a UN Framework Convention on AI Safeguards. This is an edited version of the transcript.

Vivian Balakrishnan

28 Sep 2026

Why China doubts US calls to pause AI

Sentiment among Chinese AI companies that they cannot be sure if American companies are slowing down shows that in AI pacing, credibility is key. Before restraint can become reciprocal, it has to become observable, says Chinese researcher Sun Chenghao.

Sun Chenghao

25 Sep 2026

Inside the US$50 billion rise of Moonshot AI

China’s Moonshot AI’s impressive open-weight Kimi K3 model sent shockwaves through the tech world in the last few months, triggering geopolitical rhetoric, a US$50 billion valuation explosion and a cut-throat price war.

Caixin Global

18 Sep 2026

Time to ‘pace’ AI development?

Even as US tech leaders warn of losing control over AI, China makes the point that AI risks should not slow development down. This is an example of other factors that could decide the US-China AI race, more than technology alone, says commentator Deng Yuwen.

Deng Yuwen

15 Sep 2026

Could the PLA’s robot soldiers be used against Taiwan?

China is developing humanoid robots that could enter the battlefield within a decade. While Taiwan is a potential scenario, experts say the PLA’s push reflects a broader drive to prepare for the warfare of the future. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong finds out more.

Edwin Ong

09 Sep 2026

[Big read] Is Singapore the ultimate ‘China+1’ biopharma hub?

China’s biotech industry is becoming a formidable force in drug R&D and manufacturing. For Singapore, its rise brings new competition — but also an opportunity to strengthen its role as a trusted China+1 hub for global pharma. Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks with industry players and government officials to find out more.

Lewis Ong Yong Huat

09 Sep 2026

[Video] Shenzhen is not just China’s factory. It wants to be its innovation engine

Shenzhen is betting its future on innovation. From AI and robotics to electric aircraft, talent and startups, manufacturing and capital are converging in Shenzhen, putting the city at the heart of China’s tech race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lee Chee Yang finds out more.

Lee Chee Yang

07 Sep 2026

Why China is sending humanoid robots to school

China is rapidly expanding state-backed training facilities where hundreds of humanoid robots learn real-world tasks, leveraging massive hardware production into AI brainpower dominance. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan gives a glimpse into one of these facilities.

Meng Dandan

04 Sep 2026

Truffles and gold leaf can’t save dim sum: What the masters know

However much dim sum — bite-sized morsels originating in Guangdong province — is reinvented, the patience and fortitude that goes into the craft and the sincerity of the hands that make it remain paramount, observes writer Tan Pin Yen in ThinkChina’s Eye on Guangdong series.

Tan Pin Yen

28 Aug 2026

Faster than Bolt, but can China’s robots fold clothes?

Humanoid robots’ real test lies in the real world. By putting them through standardised sporting and real-world tasks, the World Humanoid Robot Games aim to expose their shortcomings, generate valuable data and lay the groundwork for industry standards and large-scale commercial deployment, says academic Zhang Tiankan.

Zhang Tiankan

27 Aug 2026

How Guangzhou and Shenzhen weathered Trump’s tariff storm

Guangzhou and Shenzhen, manufacturing and technology engines of Guangdong province, were hard-hit by Trump 2.0 tariffs, but they managed to bounce back or even hold steady with resilience under pressure. Economics professor Jiang Kun gives her analysis in ThinkChina’s Eye on Guangdong series.

Jiang Kun

26 Aug 2026