Smart City

SenseTime Act 2: From China’s AI dragon to regional innovator

With artificial intelligence being the latest buzzword, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out among the crowd of companies in the sector. One of the pioneer companies in AI is SenseTime, which has expanded into Singapore and Southeast Asia. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning speaks to Jeff Shi, president of SenseTime’s Asia Pacific business, to get his take on where the company is going.

Li Yaning

23 Jan 2026

Chinese academics: How China and ASEAN can deepen digital economy partnership

With the conclusion of the 1st ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) last month and the series of digital policies introduced, ASEAN is ready to move forward on building an integrated digital economy. Even as ASEAN aims to become an important player in the digital global value chain, there are areas where China and ASEAN can work together to achieve a win-win situation. Professor Zhai Kun of Peking University and Yuan Ruichen, member of the research group of the BRI Big Data Innovation Experimental Project, suggest cooperation in areas such as building smart cities, cybersecurity and digital governance.

Zhai Kun, Yuan Ruichen

22 Feb 2021

Smart cities: The future of ASEAN-China cooperation

In the post-Covid-19 world, global supply chains are expected to be reconfigured as countries look to reduce their reliance on China. Enter greater room for ASEAN-China cooperation, particularly in areas related to the digital economy, such as in the development of smart cities. Associate Professor Gu Qingyang of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) sets out the arguments.

Gu Qingyang

18 Jun 2020

Industry 4.0: The Chinese "student" has surpassed the Singapore "teacher"

Kwek So Cheer warns that Singapore faces the risk of being irrelevant in a new world going through a fourth industrial revolution. In that respect, it has much to learn from China, who plays a leading role when it comes to advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing and the Internet of Things.

Kwek So Cheer

23 Dec 2019

The road ahead for Chongqing (Part II): What surprises will Chongqing bring?

In this two-part article, prominent Hong Kong commentator and columnist Yang Jinlin assesses Chongqing's strengths such as its strategic location and expertise in smart city building and waste management while sharing his personal reflections on how the megacity has changed and will continue to grow as it moves from one decade to the next. Read about the future of smart cities, and Chongqing's achievements in waste management in the second part.

Yang Jinlin

19 Dec 2019

How enterprises survive in China's smart cities

Some survive by possessing core technologies, some survive by promoting an exciting concept, some by self-transformation, others by buying out and inheriting superb small companies. Prof Chen Xi shares the various tactics for enterprises to survive and benefit from smart city market restructuring. Where will the new battleground of smart city projects be and how can Singapore play a role?

Chen Xi

26 Nov 2019