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☆ 3 things to know about the most important relationship in the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Even so, finding ways to “get back on a normal course” — in the words of Biden — matters hugely to the global economy. He also pointed to some American companies leaving China altogether, such as asset management giant Vanguard. In the third quarter, a measure of foreign direct investment into China turned negative for the first time in 25 years. The country is by far the world’s biggest gallium producer, and a leading global producer of germanium, according to the US Geological Survey. Listed American companies with big business in China, such as Apple (AAPL) and Tesla (TSLA), may face higher scrutiny, too.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “, Biden, ”, Scott Kennedy, Chenggang Xu, California Justin Sullivan, Xu, Gina Raimondo, Adam Glanzman, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Donald Trump, Liu, … Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Economic Cooperation, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Stanford Center, China’s, Shipping, Port, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, European Union, American Chamber of Commerce, Vanguard, Companies, US, Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, Bloomberg, Getty, Geological Survey, Council, Foreign Relations, Communist Party of China Finances, Capital, Apple, Chinese Communist Party, China Economic, Security, Commission, Biden, CFR Locations: China, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Asia, United States, Mexico, Canada, Port of Oakland, California, Shanghai, Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, Beijing, American, New York, US, Japan, Netherlands, Sequoia

☆ China retail sales, factory output grow more than expected in October
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ DP World cyberattack: Australian ports restart some operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —One of Australia’s biggest port operators has restarted some operations after a crippling cyberattack that led to a huge backup of cargo. DP World Australia, which manages the flow of nearly 40% of the country’s goods and is owned by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, announced Monday that the resumption came three days following a breach of its IT systems. The ports’ reopening comes after “successful tests of key systems overnight,” DP World Australia said in a statement, adding that about 5,000 containers would move out of its four terminals across the country on Monday. CNN has reached out to DP World Australia for confirmation. The Australian Federal Police told CNN on Monday that it was investigating the incident, while declining to comment further.

Persons: “, Darren Goldie, Goldie, ”, Home Affairs Clare O’Neil Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Australia’s, DP, Commercial Bank of China, Australian Financial, CNN, Fremantle, National Cyber, ABC, Australian Federal Police, Twitter, Home Affairs Locations: Hong Kong, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

☆ Huawei launches its rival to Tesla’s Model S
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Diksha Madhok | Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong/Beijing CNN —Huawei has launched a new electric vehicle (EV) that is designed to take on Elon Musk’s Tesla. The Chinese tech giant began taking preorders of the Luxeed S7, its first sedan, on Thursday. The S7’s 800-volt battery pack, the thinnest in the industry according to Yu, is made by Chinese EV battery giant CATL. A 15-minute charge will yield a driving range of 400 kilometers (249 miles), according to Yu, which surpasses the 347-kilometer range (about 216 miles) for Tesla’s Model S after a similar charging period. However, at the equivalent of $35,400, the S7 is much cheaper than the most basic Model S, which costs 698,900 yuan or $95,800 in China.

Persons: Elon Musk’s Tesla, Richard Yu, Mark Rainford, ”, ” Rainford, Yu, Rainford, Tesla, they’re Organizations: Beijing CNN, Huawei, Elon, Chery, YouTube, China, CNN, EV, Automotive Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai

☆ China slips back into deflation in October after pork prices plunged
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Consumer prices in China fell more than expected last month, sliding the country back into deflation and renewing concerns about the strength of the world’s second largest economy. As China’s most consumed meat, pork has an outsized weighting in the consumer price index. He said deflation was a “pernicious” situation characterized by a decline in consumer prices as well as the prices of assets and wages, leading to a sharp slowdown in economic activity. But consumer prices recovered in August. This drop “reflects uncertainty around the solidity of China’s recovery,” HSBC Greater China economist Erin Xin noted in a report.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Robert Carnell, ”, Erin Xin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, National Bureau of Statistics, Economics, Asia Pacific, ING, ” HSBC Locations: China, Hong Kong

☆ HSBC CEO says even Chinese firms are diversifying from China at Bloomberg forum
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Diversification away from China is increasing, and it doesn’t just affect foreign companies, according to HSBC CEO Noel Quinn. HSBC (HSBC) is the world’s largest trade finance bank, with a focus on Asia, meaning it helps importers and exporters carry out transactions. For decades, China has enjoyed rapid economic growth thanks to its status as a global trade and manufacturing powerhouse. So its supply chains and its supply to the world is going to change over the next 10 to 15 years,” noted Quinn. De-risking, meanwhile, may be harder to detect, as “there is no single economic data series that can effectively capture companies’ decisions to intentionally reduce their real economic exposure to China,” according to the report.

Persons: Noel Quinn, Quinn, ” Quinn, ”, — Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, HSBC, Bloomberg Locations: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Asia, Vietnam, India

☆ Chinese leaders defend state of economy at global finance summit in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Senior Chinese officials have defended the state of the world’s second largest economy at a conference in Hong Kong, telling global financiers not to worry about prospects in China despite an uneven recovery and ailing property market. “Since the beginning of the year, China’s economy has been picking up in general,” He said Tuesday at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, which was organized by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the city’s de facto central bank. “Global investors have some concerns about China’s economy, including the pace of economic recovery, problems with property markets, and local government debt. “The potential of the Chinese economy remains promising,” he told the audience, which included the heads of Goldman Sachs, Citi and Morgan Stanley. A discussion on China at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Persons: Lifeng, ”, Zhang Qingsong, ’ ”, “, Zhang, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Peter Parks, ” Wang Jianjun, Wang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Senior, Global, ’ Investment, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, People’s Bank of China, “ Global, Citi, Monetary Fund, Global Financial, Investment, Getty, China Securities Regulatory Commission, Stock Connect Locations: China, Hong Kong, AFP

☆ ICBC ex-VP being probed by China’s anti-graft body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Zhang Hongli, a former senior executive at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), is being probed by China’s top anti-corruption watchdog, in a sign of a continuing crackdown in the country’s financial sector. State-owned ICBC is one of China’s “Big Four” banks and the world’s largest lender by assets, according to S&P Global. Prior to joining ICBC, Zhang worked at Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, where he held senior management roles. They include three top executives at the highest ranks of China’s financial world, who have either been probed or charged, according to the commission. In October, Li was expelled from the Communist Party and arrested for allegedly taking bribes, according to Xinhua.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Zhang Hongli, Zhang, Goldman Sachs, Bao Fan, Bao, Xi, Li Xiaopeng, —, Li, Liu Liange, Liu, “, Wang Bin, Wang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, Central Commission, P, Deutsche Bank, ICBC’s Communist Party, Xinhua, CNN, China, Communist Party, of China, China Life Insurance Locations: China, Hong Kong, ICBC, Xinhua

☆ Nvidia and AMD CEOs: Two of the world’s most powerful tech execs come from the same Taiwanese family
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Michelle Toh | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The chief executives of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD) aren’t just two of the most powerful people in the global AI chip industry, they’re also family. “For almost half a century now, Taiwan’s economy has been centered on electronics production, chip assembly, chip manufacturing, chip design, everything semiconductors. According to Nvidia, Huang was born in 1963 in Taipei before moving to the southern city of Tainan. “I would say anyone who logs on the internet is likely touching not just one, but dozens and hundreds of Nvidia and AMD chips,” said Miller. I would say anyone who logs on the internet is likely touching not just one, but dozens and hundreds of Nvidia and AMD chips.

Persons: Taipei CNN — Jensen Huang, Lisa Su, they’re, Su, Jean Wu, Wu, Huang, ” Su, ” Wu, ” Christopher Miller, ”, it’s, there’s, Hwa Cheng, Edith Yeung, Miller, Robyn Beck, AMD’s, Florence Lo, “, Christopher Miller Organizations: Taipei CNN, Nvidia, AMD, CNN, Consumer Technology Association, rockstar, Technology, Bloomberg, Getty, Race Capital, ASUS, Consumer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Stanford University, McKinsey, Associated Press, CTA Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Taiwan, United States, China, Silicon Valley, Silicon, Tainan, Thailand, Washington, Kentucky, New York City, Las Vegas, AFP, Santa Clara , California

☆ Charlie Munger praises Warren Buffett’s big bets on Japan on Acquired podcast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“It was awfully easy money,” Charlie Munger, Buffett’s longtime lieutenant and vice chair of Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA), said in an interview with the Acquired podcast released this week. The firms backed by Berkshire — Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., and Sumitomo — are known as “sogo shosha” or general trading companies in Japan. “These trading companies were really entrenched, old companies, and they had all these cheap copper mines and rubber plantations, and so you could borrow [easily],” Munger added. Buffett’s decision to invest in Japan has buoyed optimism about prospects in the world’s third largest economy. The legendary investor has previously cheered “the future of Japan,” casting more attention to the country from other foreign backers.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Warren, Charlie Munger, Buffett’s, Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire —, Munger, Warren Buffett, ”, ” Munger, “, Wang Chuanfu, Omaha ”, China’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Japan’s Nikkei, Berkshire, Berkshire — Itochu, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co, Sumitomo, BYD, Hyundai, Apple Locations: Hong Kong, Japan, Berkshire, United States, “, Munger, Asia, South, TSMC, Omaha, Taiwan, China

☆ HSBC Q3 results: Bank takes $500 million hit on Chinese real estate and warns of risk of ‘further deterioration
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —HSBC warned Monday that China’s property market has “potential for a further deterioration” as it reported profits that fell short of expectations, partly because of a $500 million charge to cover potential losses on commercial real estate loans. The results, however, fell shy of expectations from analysts, who had projected about $8.1 billion in pre-tax profit and revenue of $16.3 billion. In the third quarter, HSBC (HSBC) said it had adjusted its expected credit losses — the money it sets aside for defaults on loans — to include a charge of $500 million related to commercial real estate in mainland China. HSBC has fared better, with its latest results showing strength overall, Jefferies analysts wrote in a note Monday. HSBC shares were little changed in London following its results, while its stock listed in Hong Kong closed down 1.5%.

Persons: Noel Quinn, Quinn, Jefferies Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — HSBC, Revenue, HSBC, Chartered Locations: Hong Kong, “, China, Asia, London

☆ TSMC founder says US-China tensions will slow global chip industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —The founder of the world’s biggest chipmaker, Morris Chang, said on Thursday that increasing tensions over technology between the United States and China will slow down the global chip industry. Chang, 92, said that cutting off China’s chip industry from the rest of the world would affect other players beyond China. Of course, the immediate purpose is to slow China down, and I think it’s doing that,” Chang said. He also praised the higher education system in the United States, adding his optimism about the country as TSMC invests to build chipmaking facilities in Arizona. Born and raised in China, Chang built a career in the United States, where he become a naturalized citizen in 1962, before being recruited to build the chip industry in Taiwan.

Persons: Morris Chang, Chang, ” Chang, ” Organizations: Reuters, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Asia Society, Huawei Locations: United States, China, New York, Taiwan, Arizona

☆ Gavin Newsom says ‘divorce is not an option’ for US and China after Xi Jinping meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —“Divorce is not an option” when it comes to the world’s two largest economies, California Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN on Wednesday following his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Newsom said his meeting with Xi in Beijing had revived hope that the United States and China were at a turning point in their relations. Newsom — the first US governor to meet with Xi in six years — is in China for a week-long visit to promote action on climate change. Xi also expressed the hope that the governor’s visit to China would help stabilize the broader relationship. If it were a country, California “would be the fifth largest economy in the world,” Newsom told CNN.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Gavin Newsom, Xi Jinping, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Newsom, Xi, “ We’ve, We’ve, ”, Newsom —, ” Newsom, “, that’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Xinhua, Global Times, BYD Locations: Hong Kong, California, Beijing, United States, China, decouple, Shenzhen

☆ Stellantis is teaming up with Chinese startup Leapmotor on EVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The two will form a joint venture that will give Stellantis the exclusive rights to produce, export and sell the Chinese brand’s vehicles outside Greater China. Stellantis will control the joint venture, with a 51% stake, while Leapmotor will take a 49% share. In July, Volkswagen announced it was buying a 5% stake in Chinese EV maker Xpeng and unveiled a strategic partnership to jointly develop new vehicles. News of Stellantis’ latest partnership comes about a year after it terminated its joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Company (GAC). Stellantis is acquiring Leapmotor shares at a price of 43.8 Hong Kong dollars ($5.6) apiece, according to a Thursday stock exchange filing by the Chinese firm.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Leapmotor, Mercedes, Nio, Stellantis, weren’t Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Xpeng, Reuters, CNN, Nio, Guangzhou Automobile Group Company, Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Leapmotor, Hangzhou, Greater China, Shanghai, China

There is a new poster child of China’s protracted real estate crisis — Country Garden. Country Garden has not responded to requests for comment by phone or email. Here’s what to know about the rise and fall of Country Garden, and the future of China’s once red-hot property sector. Until last year, Country Garden was China’s biggest real estate developer, specializing in residential property. While confidence in China’s real estate sector has been shaky since the collapse of Evergrande, Country Garden reignited fears in August when its liquidity crisis burst into public view.

Persons: Evergrande, Yang Huiyan, Krishna Srinivasan, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Bloomberg News, Financial Times, Citigroup, Hong Kong, Country Garden, Seng, International Monetary Fund, National Bureau of Statistics, Pacific Department Locations: Hong Kong, Foshan, Guangdong province, China, United States, Evergrande, Beijing, Asia

☆ Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi ending production in China, world's biggest car market
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Mitsubishi Motors will stop producing vehicles in China, in the latest sign of retreat by foreign automakers in the world’s biggest car market. Following weeks of speculation, the Japanese carmaker confirmed Tuesday that it would wind down local manufacturing and exit a long-running joint venture in mainland China. The move came days after Stellantis, home to brands such as Jeep and Chrysler, moved to withdraw further from China, too. Stellantis continues to sell imported vehicles in China through dealerships. The Japanese firm will pour up to €200 million ($212 million) into Ampere, helping it push further into the European market.

Persons: ” Mitsubishi, “, Stellantis, Dongfeng, Ampere Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi, Guangzhou Automobile Group Company, GAC, Chrysler, Dongfeng Motor, Peugeot, Renault Locations: China, Hong Kong, Wuhan, Xiangyang, French

☆ Davos in the Desert: Jamie Dimon and other bankers visit Saudi Arabia as Israel-Hamas war rages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) will welcome about 6,000 participants from more than 90 countries over the next three days. Since the Hamas assault on October 7, Israel has widened its offensive against the Palestinian militant group and other regional enemies. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, denied any personal involvement in Khashoggi’s murder but later confirmed it was carried out by Saudi officials. Bin Salman chairs the Public Investment Fund. “Very few people” had canceled plans to attend the conference, according to Richard Attias, the CEO of the FII Institute, the event’s organizer.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, Defense Lloyd Austin, Larry Fink, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, Noel Quinn, Ray Dalio, Stephen Schwarzman, Harvey Schwartz, Blackstone, Carlyle, “ We’re, it’s, ”, Fraser, Fink, “, Karen E, WeWork, Slack, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia’s, Mohammad bin Salman, Bin Salman, bin Salman, Masayoshi, Richard Attias, Young, — Winston Lo, Michelle Toh Organizations: London CNN, “, Future Investment Initiative, Defense, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank, HSBC, Citigroup, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Columbia University’s Center, Global Energy, CNN, Reliance Retail, Softbank’s Vision, Future Investment, FII Institute, Young of Columbia University Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, “ Davos, Gaza, Lebanon, Riyadh, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Washington, Russia, Saudi, Istanbul, Kingdom, Hong Kong

☆ WPP fires executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Advertising giant WPP says it has fired an executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery. Last week, news emerged that the Chinese police had raided the Shanghai office of advertising agency GroupM, owned by WPP. WPP said Tuesday it had fired an executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery. The police didn’t name the company, but the Financial Times and Chinese state media linked it to GroupM. The announcement came a month after police questioned employees at the Shanghai office of top consultancy Bain.

Persons: ”, Terry Gou, wouldn’t, Mintz Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, WPP, CNN, Reuters, Shanghai, Financial Times, drugmaker Astellas Pharma, China, Mintz Group, Bain Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Chinese firms backed by global banks found using leopards and pangolins parts, says environmental group
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Three top Chinese pharmaceutical companies, which are backed by top global banks, are using endangered animal parts in their medicines, according to an investigation by an environmental protection group. Among them are three publicly listed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) giants: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong Medicine. The EIA said it had found at least nine “products stated to contain leopard and/ or pangolin” that were manufactured by the firms. CNN has reached out to Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong for comment. Tong Ren Tang, founded in 1669, is one of China’s most storied brands.

Persons: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash, Tong Ren Tang, ”, “ It’s, ” Basker, pangolins, Sakchai Lalit Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Medicine, EIA, CNN, TCM, Fortune, BlackRock, Citigroup, HSBC, Citi, IUCN SSC Pangolin Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Bangkok

Tokyo CNN —China has formally arrested a Japanese man who was detained in March, according to officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The arrest of the Japanese national, who was reportedly an employee of a Tokyo-based pharmaceutical firm, could further rattle foreign businesses in China, which have reported feeling more unsettled this year amid a crackdown on international consulting firms on national security grounds. According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the man was an employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma and was detained in March by Chinese security authorities in Beijing on suspicion of violating the country’s criminal law and anti-espionage law. In May, state security authorities said they had raided several offices of Capvision, an advisory network. The issue has been cited as headache for foreign businesses, some of which were already having trouble convincing workers to relocate to China.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s MOFA, Mao Ning, “, ”, Weeks, Bain, — CNN’s Michelle Toh, Sophie Jeong, Mengchen Zhang Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, NHK, drugmaker, Pharma, CNN, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of State Security, Mintz Group, American Chamber of Commerce, China’s Commerce Ministry, State Administration of Foreign Exchange Locations: China, Tokyo, Beijing, MOFA, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ Nokia layoffs: Company will slash up to 14,000 jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Nokia will slash up to 14,000 jobs in a major cost-cutting drive to address a “weaker” market environment, it said in a statement on Thursday. The move will help the company reduce staffing expenses by 10% to 15%, and save at least €400 million ($421.4 million) in 2024 alone, the company projected. Overall, it said the reductions are expected to trim Nokia’s costs by up to €1.2 billion (nearly $1.3 billion) cumulatively by the end of 2026. “The most difficult business decisions to make are the ones that impact our people,” CEO Pekka Lundmark said in the statement. “We have immensely talented employees at Nokia and we will support everyone that is affected by this process.”The announcement came on the same day that Nokia reported worse-than-expected results.

Persons: Pekka Lundmark, Nokia’s, “, Lundmark Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Nokia, Nokia, ” Mobile, Ericsson Locations: Hong Kong, India

☆ Tony Fernandes: AirAsia CEO criticized after posting shirtless massage photo on LinkedIn
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes has created a firestorm on social media after sharing a photo of himself receiving a massage topless during a management meeting. In his post, the business mogul said he’d had “a stressful week,” so a colleague suggested he get a massage. “Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting,” Fernandes wrote. The post was deleted days later after a wave of criticism, with many LinkedIn users saying his behavior was unprofessional. AirAsia Group rebranded to Capital A last year, in efforts to show how AirAsia was becoming “more than just an airline,” according to a company statement at the time.

Persons: Tony Fernandes, he’d, “, ” Fernandes, Fernandes, ”, Richard Branson of Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — AirAsia, Malaysian, LinkedIn, AirAsia, CNN, Bloomberg, relaunching AirAsia, Capital, ”, Virgin Group, Warner Music, AirAsia Group Locations: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Richard Branson of Asia, United Kingdom, Asia, Malaysian, Malaysia

The original rules had sought to hamper China’s ability to procure advanced computing chips and manufacture advanced weapons systems. Not all chipsRaimondo, who visited China in August, said the administration was “laser-focused” on slowing the advancement of China’s military. Chips used in phones, video games and electric vehicles were purposefully carved out from the new rules, according to senior administration officials. In recent months, the United States has enlisted its allies in Europe and Asia in restricting sales of advanced chipmaking equipment to China. In July, Beijing hit back by imposing its own curbs on exports of germanium and gallium, two elements essential for making semiconductors.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, Mao Ning, chipmakers, “, ”, ASML Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, Washington, Ministry, Biden, United States, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, United Arab, ” Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, US Department of Commerce, Biren Technology, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Washington, Macao, United States, Iran, Russia, Beijing, United, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Dutch

☆ Baidu says its AI is in the same league as GPT-4
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese tech giant Baidu is officially taking on GPT-4. The new ERNIE Bot “is not inferior in any aspect to GPT-4,” Baidu’s billionaire CEO, Robin Li, told an audience at its annual flagship event. Baidu CEO Robin Li announcing an upgrade of ERNIE Bot, its generative AI chatbot. Baidu (BIDU) has been a frontrunner in China in the race to capitalize on the excitement around generative AI, the technology that underpins systems such as ChatGPT or its successor, GPT-4. The Chinese company also announced Tuesday it had updated its suite of services to integrate the latest upgrades from ERNIE.

Persons: ERNIE, ERNIE Bot “, ”, Robin Li, Li, ERNIE Bot, “, Charlie Dai, Forrester, Baidu, I’m, Goldman Sachs, Dai, JD Cloud Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Baidu, CNN, Huawei, JD Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States

☆ Microsoft-Activision Blizzard takeover approved as UK removes final hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —UK antitrust officials have approved Microsoft’s planned takeover of Activision Blizzard, the maker of “Call of Duty” and other hit games, greenlighting one of the biggest tech deals of all time. The Competition and Markets Authority announced Friday that the merger had been cleared after the companies agreed to give up certain cloud gaming rights, removing the final regulatory hurdle to the deal closing. Microsoft (MSFT) unveiled the deal in early 2022, but it was blocked in April by the UK competition regulator. “The new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming,” the agency said Friday. Alongside “Call of Duty,” it also produces “World of Warcraft” and “Overwatch.”Microsoft, which sells the Xbox gaming console, offers a popular video game subscription service called Xbox Game Pass, as well as a cloud-based video game streaming service.

Persons: “, Tencent, Brad Smith, “ we’re, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Activision Blizzard, Markets Authority, CMA, Microsoft, Activision, European Union, Ubisoft Entertainment, Sony, Twitter Locations: Hong Kong

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