With the advent of AI text-to-video model Sora developed by OpenAI, it seems that China’s tech sector is getting nervous and looking at how to close the gap with the US, which is set to get bigger if China is unable to create its own similar technology.
Digital economy
Economy
With Alibaba founder Jack Ma ceding control of Alipay in January 2023, and the People's Bank of China granting the application for no controlling shareholder at Alipay a year later, no single individual is in control of the company's decisions, and no shareholder holds more than 30% of its shares. This is seen as a critical step before Ant Group's IPO. But, has Alipay become a "state-owned enterprise"?
Economy
Popular Chinese online shopping app Pinduoduo has done well in terms of profits, outdoing competitors such as Alibaba and JD.com. While a major factor is due to revenue from Pinduoduo's multinational e-commerce platform Temu, it may also be a sign that consumers in China are changing their spending habits and going for cost-effectiveness and value for money.
Technology
Hong Kong and Singapore can and should leverage their position as international financial and technological hubs to help build an inclusive and fair digital global network that brings people all over the world together for a more equitable and mutually-beneficial collaboration and development, says academic Pei Sai Fan.
Technology
In an effort to tighten its grip over domestic data to protect national security, Beijing has implemented the Measures on the Standard Contract for the Cross-Border Transfer of Personal Information, requiring certain personal data processors to sign contracts with overseas recipients before sending data abroad.
Economy
Chinese businesses are flocking to Saudi Arabia, in what they see as the latter's "reform and opening up" period of opportunities. While bilateral trade and investment has increased, the Chinese also see Saudi Arabia as a gateway for the Middle East market, in emerging fields such as cloud services and artificial intelligence, and as a vibrant venture capitalist hub.
Technology
Researcher Ding Ke looks at the US’s Chip 4 alliance initiative and its implications for China’s semiconductor industry. With the US seemingly intent on containing China’s high-tech industries, it will take a lot of effort for China to keep this sector going and growing, especially if the Chip 4 alliance works out.
Technology
Amid the frequent refrain of building a digital civilisation in China, Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan warns of the natural progression assumed in digital progress leading to greater civilisation. Innovations such as facial recognition technology or human tracking devices are placed in the hands of man and can be used for good or evil.
Economy
Ahead of the 18th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meetings between Singapore and China — the first to be held in person since the outbreak of the pandemic — Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat sets out a few priorities in taking Singapore-China relations to new heights.