Chinese

• Il caso attira ampia attenzione come esempio di come la Cina stia bilanciando l'entusiastica adozione dell'IA con la sicurezza del posto di lavoro • Un tribunale in Cina ha dato ragione a un lavoratore la cui azienda lo aveva sostituito con l'intelligenza artificiale (IA), assegnandogli un risarcimento di oltre 28.000 sterline. • Il lavoratore, di cognome Zhou, era entrato in una società tecnologica nella città orientale di Hangzhou nel 2022 per lavorare come supervisore della garanzia di qualità, supervisionando i grandi modelli linguistici utilizzati nei prodotti di IA. Continua a leggere...

• L'amministratore delegato ammette colloqui con Chery, mentre altri costruttori europei discutono piani con aziende cinesi per condividere gli spazi produttivi. • Ivan Espinosa ha confermato che Nissan starebbe "valutando opzioni" per lo stabilimento di Sunderland e i suoi 6.000 lavoratori, mentre il costruttore giapponese, in difficoltà, ha riportato mercoledì forti perdite per l'anno chiuso a marzo.

• Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC) ha tenuto la sua conference call sugli utili del Q1 2026 l'8 maggio 2026, presentando agli investitori e agli analisti i risultati relativi alle sue operazioni in Asia-Pacifico. • Il gruppo bancario con sede a Singapore ha discusso le metriche di performance e le iniziative strategiche durante l'aggiornamento per gli investitori, con la partecipazione di media e analisti. • I risultati di OCBC sono attentamente monitorati per ottenere informazioni sullo stato di salute del settore bancario regionale e sulle condizioni economiche nel Sud-est asiatico e nella Greater China.

• Le imprese cinesi hanno completato fusioni e acquisizioni offshore per un valore di quasi 10 miliardi di dollari nel primo trimestre del 2026, segnando il massimo degli ultimi cinque anni nonostante le persistenti barriere normative. • Le transazioni hanno preso di mira settori chiave, tra cui risorse, beni di consumo e manifattura, mentre le aziende cercano opportunità di crescita all'estero. • L'impennata sottolinea la spinta della Cina verso l'espansione globale in mezzo a pressioni economiche interne e tensioni commerciali.

• Olympic Circuit Technology, a Chinese tech firm traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SHSE:603920), has demonstrated robust growth with revenue forecasts of 29.5% and earnings forecasts of 45.6%, significantly exceeding broader Chinese market averages as of May 2026. • The company's growth metrics position it among high-performing tech stocks in Asia, reflecting strong operational performance and market confidence in its business model and expansion strategy. • The outperformance relative to the broader Chinese market indicates Olympic Circuit Technology's competitive advantages and operational efficiency in a challenging economic environment.

• Chinese semiconductor equipment makers CCtech and Nextool Technology are deepening presence in SEA's OSAT centers as Malaysia and Singapore emerge as packaging and testing hubs. • Expansion driven by global supply chain shifts, southbound strategies, surging AI demand, and power electronics growth. • The moves signal a new upcycle for test and packaging equipment amid regional semiconductor boom.

• Hangeng Trade Company has ceased operations at Pakistan's Gwadar port, citing an 'unfit business environment,' operational hurdles, financial losses, and stuck shipments despite government contact. • The closure reflects escalating security challenges in Balochistan, where the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has launched multiple attacks on Chinese nationals and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects since 2021. • The development raises concerns for China's $62 billion CPEC investment in Pakistan and threatens the viability of Gwadar as a strategic hub for Beijing's Arabian Sea access, potentially impacting regional connectivity and investment flows.

• India secured a 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei in the Thomas Cup quarterfinals on May 1, 2026, guaranteeing a medal and advancing to the semifinals. • Key wins came in men's doubles and singles matches, showcasing strong team performance in the badminton tournament. • This result strengthens India's position in international badminton and boosts medal prospects at the prestigious Thomas Cup.

• Mainland Chinese companies surged to second-largest investors in Singapore's fixed assets in 2025, capturing 21% of S$14.16 billion (US$11.07 billion) total, up from 2.5% the prior year amid the city-state's safe-haven appeal. • Key deals included CNQC Realty (Prime), Forsea Residence, and Jianan Realty Investments buying a 145,500 sq ft Dover Drive site for S$951 million in Q1 2026, projected to yield 625 residential units. • Europe held top spot at 25% while US share dropped to 17.3% from 55.5%; other transactions featured SingHaiyi Group and Haiyi Holdings acquiring Bayshore Road parcel for S$658.9 million (515 units) and Qingjian Realty group's S$315 million Media Circle buy (345 flats).

• India's government approved amendments allowing overseas companies with Chinese or Hong Kong shareholding of up to 10% to invest in India under the automatic route, with notification expected soon under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. • The decision was communicated by the government on Thursday and will come into effect following official notification, marking a significant shift in India's foreign direct investment policy toward greater openness. • This policy change, approved in March 2026 through amendments to Press Note 3 of 2020, aims to attract increased Chinese investment while maintaining regulatory oversight of strategic sectors.

• India defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the Thomas Cup quarterfinals to secure a semifinal spot. • The victory sets up a semifinal clash against France scheduled for 9:30 PM. • This marks a significant achievement for Indian badminton on the international stage amid ongoing team championships.

Patrick Vallance says government working with Chinese officials to remove postings from Alibaba after Biobank data breach last weekThere have been further listings of confidential health records of UK volunteers on the Chinese website Alibaba since the breach reported last week and the government is braced for further leaks, the science minister has said.Addressing a House of Lords debate on the attempted sale of data belonging to 500,000 UK Biobank volunteers, Patrick Vallance said the government has worked with Chinese officials to remove additional postings on the online marketplace. Continue reading...

Meta, which owns Facebook, acquired Manus in December 2025 for more than US$2 billion in a bid to boost its capabilities in AI agents.

Around one in three workers in China are now in flexible jobs, led by a younger generation seeking greater autonomy despite the trade-offs. The second of this two-part series focuses on people drawn to this way of working, rather than those pushed into such roles.

• The Philippines formally protested on Monday what Manila characterized as 'provocative and illegal' Chinese Coast Guard operations near Second Thomas Shoal, accusing Beijing of obstructing Philippine supply missions. • Philippine Defense Secretary stated that Chinese vessels used water cannons against Filipino boats, damaging equipment and endangering personnel conducting routine resupply operations to occupied Philippine outposts. • The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reaffirmed commitment to freedom of navigation operations, with Pentagon officials stating they will continue sending naval assets through disputed waters to assert international law compliance.

• Brazil has suspended a $4 billion Chinese investment in Amazon infrastructure projects following international pressure over deforestation and environmental protection commitments. • President Lula cited insufficient environmental safeguards and lack of transparency in project oversight as the primary reasons for the suspension announced Friday. • Environmental groups and US officials praised the decision, though economic analysts warn the suspension could strain Brazil-China relations and impact Latin American development patterns.

• The Trump administration pledges a crackdown on Chinese companies exploiting American-made AI models, focusing on national security risks. • Officials singled out China for foreign tech firms' unauthorized use of US AI technologies, vowing stricter enforcement measures. • The initiative aims to protect US intellectual property and prevent adversarial nations from leveraging American innovations in AI development.

Technology minister tells Commons ‘de-identified’ information from UK Biobank advertised for sale on AlibabaUK politics live – latest updatesThe confidential health records of half a million British volunteers have been offered for sale on Chinese website Alibaba, the UK government has confirmed.The data, belonging to participants in the UK Biobank project, was found for sale on three separate listings last week. The records have now been removed and it is not believed any sales were made. Continue reading...

Britain’s cybersecurity agency says companies must step up vigilance to prevent espionage attacksBusiness live – latest updatesBritish businesses are being urged to step up their vigilance against a China-linked hacking ploy that uses everyday devices for espionage.The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and agencies in nine other countries have warned of persistent attempts by Beijing-backed groups to hack equipment such as wifi routers to launch cyber-attacks. Continue reading...

• The US and Japan signed an upgraded defense agreement Friday expanding joint military operations, technology sharing, and coordinated response protocols to counter Chinese military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. • The agreement authorizes increased US military presence in Japan, including enhanced surveillance capabilities and expedited weapons deployments, representing the most significant defense treaty expansion since 2015. • Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the alliance upgrade as destabilizing and counterproductive to regional peace, while Taiwan and South Korea welcomed the commitment to deterring further territorial aggression.

Exclusive: Victoria and Albert Museum has deleted maps and images deemed sensitive by Beijing censors from exhibition publicationsOne of the UK’s leading museums has accepted demands by a Chinese firm that publishes its catalogues to remove images that fall foul of the country’s censorship laws.The Victoria and Albert Museum has agreed to requests by the Chinese printing company it uses to delete maps and images from at least two recent exhibition catalogues, according to documents released to the Guardian under freedom of information. Continue reading...

Cheng Li-wun’s visit to Beijing has sparked controversy in Taiwan, with critics accusing her of being too close to ChinaIn a rare meeting with Taiwan’s opposition leader, China’s president, Xi Jinping, declared that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were Chinese and wanted peace.The meeting in Beijing between Xi and Cheng Li-wun, the chair of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT), is the first such contact in a decade. The visit has sparked controversy in Taiwan, with Cheng’s critics accusing her of being too close to China, a country that many in Taiwan see as a threat. Continue reading...

• The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on April 8, 2026, targeting 12 Chinese companies accused of supplying dual-use technology to Russia's defense sector amid the Ukraine conflict. • Key firms include Shenzhen-based tech exporters providing drone components and microelectronics, with transactions totaling over $500 million since 2024, per Treasury documents. • These measures aim to disrupt Russia's war machine, as Washington claims Beijing's indirect support prolongs the invasion; experts warn of escalating US-China tensions.

• OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google's Alphabet began sharing information via the Frontier Model Forum to detect Chinese firms' adversarial distillation of US AI models, violating terms of service. • US officials estimate this unauthorized copying costs Silicon Valley labs billions in annual profits, with OpenAI accusing DeepSeek of free-riding on American innovations. • The rare cooperation highlights national security risks and competitive threats in the global AI race, as imitation models undercut prices and siphon customers.

• The EU imposed sanctions on three Chinese technology firms and one individual on April 6, accusing them of conducting sophisticated espionage operations targeting European telecommunications infrastructure and government networks. • The targeted companies are suspected of exploiting vulnerabilities in 5G networks; the EU cited evidence of stolen intellectual property and unauthorized access to classified communications. • EU officials stated the move signals zero tolerance for state-sponsored cyber operations; Chinese officials denied accusations and called the sanctions "groundless and provocative."

Prime minister brings forward trip to Singapore in scramble for petrol supplies; former soldier charged with five war crime murders. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe prime minister has spoken to Chinese premier, Li Qiang, over the phone to discuss energy security, as the government moves to secure fuel supplies with nations across Asia.Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday he would be flying to Singapore this week to lock in fuel imports. Continue reading...

• The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on April 4, 2026, targeting 12 Chinese companies accused of supplying missile components to Taiwan's military in violation of export controls. • Sanctions freeze $2.1 billion in US-based assets and ban future transactions, following intelligence reports of shipments totaling 500 tons of avionics parts since January. • The move heightens US-China tensions, with Beijing calling it 'economic blackmail' that threatens South China Sea stability and global semiconductor supply chains.