DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Premier urges Chinese tech giants to support economy as crackdown ends
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

After listening to suggestions from firms that also included PDD Holdings' (PDD.O) Pinduoduo and JD.com (9618.HK), Li told them authorities would seek to make regulation of platform firms more transparent and predictable. Shares in some U.S.-listed Chinese firms rallied in premarket trade, with Alibaba Group Holding gaining 2.2% and PDD Holdings rising 2.7%. Still Zhou Hao, economist at Guotai Junan International, said Wednesday's meeting was a "positive signal". "A sound development of the platform economy is very significant to investors too. Prudent development of platform firms is important to investors' long-term valuation," he added.

Persons: Li Qiang, Li, ByteDance's Douyin, Zhou Hao, Ella Cao, Brenda Goh, Ellen Zhang, Ethan Wang, Ryan Woo, Barbara Lewis, Mark Potter Organizations: Wednesday, HK, PDD Holdings, Alibaba, Ant, Reuters, Guotai, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, premarket

☆ China's state planner praises Tencent, Alibaba as attitude towards tech shifts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at its office in Beijing, China January 5, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File PhotoBEIJING, July 12 (Reuters) - China's state planner on Wednesday praised Tencent (0700.HK) and Alibaba (9988.HK) in a statement detailing a study it had done on platform firms, in the latest sign authorities are warming up to the technology sector after a nearly three-year crackdown. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said platform companies had become key contributors to areas of tech innovation China was prioritising, such as semiconductors and autonomous driving. The commission's comments come after authorities signalled last week that a crackdown that began in late 2020 on the country's technology sector had ended with fines on Ant Group and Tencent. During the campaign, which wiped billions of dollars off the market value of China's top technology firms, regulators repeatedly criticised and punished these companies for violations ranging from failing to protect customer privacy to monopolistic behaviour.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Tencent, Tencent's, Xi Jinping, Qiaoyi Li, Brenda Goh, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, HK, National Development, Reform Commission, Ant, Index, Baidu, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, Hong Kong

HONG KONG, July 12 (Reuters) - China's major tech companies have shed more than $1 trillion in value -equivalent to the entire Dutch economy - since the government's regulatory crackdown on the sector began more than two years ago, according to Refinitiv data. Reuters GraphicsTechnology stocks (.HSTECH) in Hong Kong have rallied 4.1% since Monday as investors bank on an easing regulatory environment to boost earnings, but some analysts have sounded a note of caution. "Mega-cap tech companies will allocate increasingly large amounts of capital expenditure towards developing generative AI technologies and products in a hostile external environment, potentially impacting profitability," said Redmond Wong, Saxo Markets strategist in Hong Kong. Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian sales director, said current valuations would last "until we see more supporting policies from authorities". Reporting by Donny Kwok in Hong Kong and Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tencent, Redmond Wong, Steven Leung, UOB Kay Hian, Donny Kwok, Scott Murdoch, Kevin Liffey Organizations: People's Bank of China, Tencent Holdings, HK, Alibaba, Baidu Inc, Reuters Graphics Technology, Saxo Markets, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Sydney

☆ Ant Group valuation: Jack Ma's speech cost Chinese company about $230 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The company was co-founded by Jack Ma, as was e-commerce giant Alibaba Group (BABA). On Friday, Chinese financial regulators fined Ant and its subsidiaries a total of 7.1 billion yuan ($984 million) for breaking rules related to consumer protection and corporate governance. The fines mean the regulatory “overhang” over the Chinese internet sector has finally been removed, Jefferies analysts said Saturday. Chinese tech shares rallied Monday, with Alibaba rising 3.2% and Tencent gaining 0.7%. Friday’s fines mark the conclusion of the regulatory crackdown on Ant and could pave the way for the company to revive its long-anticipated IPO, according to analysts.

Persons: Jack Ma, Didi, Meituan, Ant, ”, Alibaba, Ma, ” Ma Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Ant, Alibaba, CNN, Jefferies, Saudi Aramco, Bund Financial Locations: Hong Kong, China, Shanghai, Saudi, Beijing

HONG KONG, July 10 (Reuters) - Alibaba Group (9988.HK) and Tencent (0700.HK) shares rose in Hong Kong on Monday after China's $984 million fine against the Jack Ma-founded Ant Group appeared to signal the end of a regulatory crackdown on the country's technology sector. Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares were up nearly 4% by 0230 GMT on Monday, outpacing a 1.3% gain for the broader market (.HSI), while Tencent's shares were up 1%. ANT GROUP VALUATION SLASHEDAlibaba, which spun off Ant 11 years ago and has a 33% stake, said on Sunday it was considering whether to participate in the buyback. Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares rose 8% on Friday after the penalty, one of the largest-ever fines for an internet company in China, was delivered. ($1 = 7.2310 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jack Ma, Ant, Dickie Wong, Oshadhi Kumarasiri, Scott Murdoch, Donny Kwok, Anne Marie Roantree, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed Organizations: Alibaba, HK, Ant, People's Bank of China, Kingston Securities, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, Alibaba's U.S, China, Sydney

☆ Europe's biggest IPO prudently tests the water
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Europe’s biggest listing this year is off to a cautious start. Hidroelectrica, Romania’s top hydropower producer, priced on Wednesday its initial public offering (IPO) at 104 lei ($22.87 per share, the middle of a proposed range, raising 1.8 billion euros. That values the whole utility at 46.8 billion lei, or 9.4 billion euros. And temperatures are expected to soar across large parts of the world, making hydropower plants more vulnerable to droughts. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Verbund, Hidroelectrica, Bogdan Nicolae Badea, Yawen Chen, Lisa Jucca, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Reuters, Union, Twitter, KKR, Thomson Locations: Bucharest, Romanian, Ukraine, China

☆ Meituan’s KeeTa joins Hong Kong's food delivery race — but analysts are skeptical
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

HONG KONG, CHINA - MAY 22: A poster promoting 'KeeTa' is seen on May 22, 2023 in Hong Kong, China. "I'm not very optimistic about Meituan's expansion in Hong Kong," Shawn Yang, managing director of Blue Lotus Research Institute, told CNBC. The food delivery service — named KeeTa — launched on May 22 in two residential areas: Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui. Stiff competitionThe penetration rate of food delivery in Hong Kong is not particularly high. The food delivery market in Hong Kong remains lukewarm, even during the pandemic, with moderate growth rates.

Persons: Chen Yongnnuo, Shawn Yang, KeeTa —, Mong Kok, Tai Kok Tsui, KeeTa, Sham, Meituan, Kai Wang, ChinaIRN, doesn't, it's, Wang, Yang, Blue, Ryan Lai, Lai Organizations: China News Service, Getty, Blue Lotus Research Institute, CNBC, Yau, Morningstar, Morningstar Asia, Blue Lotus Research, Blue Lotus, Foodpanda, Hong, HK Locations: HONG KONG, CHINA, Hong Kong, China, Mong, Morningstar Asia, Mong Kok, Hong, Deliveroo, Foodpanda Hong Kong

☆ China plays it safe with new central bank chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The new boss of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is probably a relief to those anxiously watching the future of the most meritocratic regulator in the country. The ruling Communist Party on Saturday appointed Pan Gongsheng, who has been deputy governor for the past 11 years, as party secretary – the de facto boss that supervises the institution. The Wall Street Journal said that would be a prelude to Pan becoming governor next, citing unnamed sources. The appointment of Pan, who has since 2015 also run the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), is a surprise. It’s unlikely Pan will deviate much from the current monetary policy trajectories, even if he helms both the party secretary and governor roles.

Persons: Pan Gongsheng, –, Pan, Yi Gang, helms, Yawen Chen, ’, George Hay, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Reuters, People’s Bank of China, Communist Party, Saturday, Street Journal, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Committee, Cambridge, Harvard, Agricultural Bank of China, U.S ., Twitter, KKR, Thomson Locations: United States, Hong Kong, Shanghai, China

☆ Italy’s hottest financial saga gets new twist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, July 3 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Italy’s most gripping corporate soap opera has entered a new chapter. Delfin, the holding company of the family of late eyewear billionaire Leonardo Del Vecchio, won regulatory approval to raise its stake in Assicurazioni Generali (GASI.MI) above its current holding of about 10%. The saga also involved a failed attempt by a broader anti-Mediobanca coalition to replace Generali CEO Philippe Donnet last year, but seemed to quiet down after Del Vecchio passed away in June 2022. Despite the market rally, there is no sign that the Del Vecchio clan wants to increase its Generali presence right now. The family could nonetheless still increase its bet at some point in the future, but the next Generali plot twist may take time to materialise.

Persons: Delfin, Leonardo Del Vecchio, Assicurazioni, Del Vecchio, Philippe Donnet, Lisa Jucca, Liam Proud, Oliver Taslic Organizations: MILAN, Reuters, Delfin, Del, Twitter, KKR, Thomson Locations: Mediobanca, Generali, China

☆ Meituan's insider AI deal does not compute
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Meituan describes Light Year as a leading AI innovator in China. Its backers include Meituan CEO Wang Xin and Sequoia Capital China's HongShan fund, which is controlled by a Meituan non-executive director. Meituan is paying out roughly $234 million in cash and covering some $50 million-worth of Light Year's convertible bonds. Interestingly, Meituan's total outlay is roughly equal to the target's net cash position. For investors, understanding this AI deal is no small challenge.

Persons: Wang Huiwen, Meituan, Wang Xin, Robyn Mak, ’, crouch, Eli Lilly, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Meituan, Sequoia Capital, Twitter, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, HK, China

☆ KKR wins $2 billion bidding war the old-fashioned way
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, June 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) - KKR (KKR.N) has affirmed a simple lesson: price matters. The private-equity giant made a bumped-up $2 billion offer for valve-maker Circor International (CIR.N) on Thursday that tops an offer from a rival. KKR broke the mold by offering sweeteners other than money – but in the end, it threw in more cash too. Circor’s board says KKR’s offer is more valuable because it can close more quickly. KKR knows that money isn’t the only thing that talks, but it still talks pretty loudly.

Persons: Jonathan Guilford, ’, crouch, John Foley, Streisand Neto Organizations: YORK, Reuters, KKR, Circor, Arcline Investment Management, Twitter, Thomson Locations: China

☆ US threat gives ASML new headache on China exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) - ASML (ASML.AS) now has to look to Washington, not its home government in The Hague, to determine which of its top-class chip-making machines it can still sell to Chinese companies. The Dutch government on Friday moved to restrict sales by the $294 billion semiconductor giant of EUV and certain types of its DUV lithography machines. That gives Biden reach over not only Dutch firms but also suppliers like Germany’s Trumpf and Zeiss, which make lasers and lenses respectively. ASML said Friday's Dutch announcement won’t have a material impact on its bottom line. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ASML, Rebecca Christie, ’, crouch, George Hay, Pranav Kiran Organizations: Reuters, China’s, HK, Zeiss, Union, Twitter, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Washington, The Hague, U.S, Netherlands, Japan, Brussels

☆ China's Meituan to buy artificial intelligence firm Light Year from co-founder
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 29 (Reuters) - Chinese food delivery giant Meituan (3690.HK) said on Thursday that it is acquiring artificial intelligence (AI) company Light Year from its co-founder and former director Wang Huiwen, in a bid to develop its own generative AI. The deal comes at a time when AI has captivated investor interest across the globe, prompting a flurry of investments or acquisitions by businesses in a rush to develop generative AI like ChatGPT. The deal allows Meituan, in which online advertising giant Tencent (0700.HK) holds an 18.7% stake, to strengthen its position in the AI landscape of China. Meituan will control 100% of Light Year after completion of the deal. Reporting by Navya Mittal and John Biju in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wang Huiwen, HongShan, Meituan, Wang, Navya Mittal, John Biju, Shailesh Organizations: HK, Sequoia Capital China Growth, Thomson Locations: China, Bengaluru

☆ Pinduoduo or Meituan? Asset management firm weighs in
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPinduoduo or Meituan? Asset management firm weighs inShawn Yang of Blue Lotus Capital Advisors explains which online Chinese retailer is the better pick.

Persons: Shawn Yang Organizations: Blue Lotus Capital Advisors

Economic challenges and geopolitical tensions have made fundraising and investment difficult, and eaten into global venture funds' returns. "It has become increasingly complex to run a decentralized global investment business," Sequoia said in the statement. Sequoia China will retain its current Chinese name and adopt the name HongShan in English, while Sequoia India and Southeast Asia will become Peak XV Partners, the firm said. Sequoia started to invest in local companies in China, India and Southeast Asia more than 15 years ago, according to the statement. Sequoia China, founded and led by former entrepreneur and investment banker Shen, has invested in more than 1,200 companies in sectors ranging from technology to healthcare.

Persons: Sequoia, Roelof Botha, Neil Shen, Shailendra Singh, Shen, Biden, Weiheng Chen, Wilson, Steven Yu, Yu, Trump, we've, Singh, Oyo, Kane Wu, Julie Zhu, Sriram, Roxanne Liu, Krystal Hu, Bernadette Baum, Mark Potter, Paul Simao Organizations: Sequoia Capital, Economic, Investment, Sequoia, XV Partners, HK, PDD Holdings, Reuters, Global Law, China -, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, India, Southeast Asia, COVID, Sequoia China, Sequoia India, Shanghai, U.S, China - U.S, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Beijing, San Francisco

☆ Sequoia to separate China, India and Southeast Asia operations by March 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, June 6 (Reuters) - Global venture capital giant Sequoia announced Tuesday that it is planning to separate its China, and India and Southeast Asia businesses into two independent firms. The China and India and Southeast Asia businesses will become independent and distinct with separate brands, by March 31, 2024, Sequoia said in a statement signed by managing partners Roelof Botha, China head Neil Shen and India head Shailendra Singh. Sequoia China will retain its current Chinese name and adopt the name HongShan in English, while Sequoia India and Southeast Asia will become Peak XV Partners, the firm said. The firm partnered with local leaders in China and India and Southeast Asia over 15 years ago, according to the statement. Singh and his team raised a $2.5 billion India and Southeast Asia fund last year, its biggest yet.

Persons: Sequoia, Roelof Botha, Neil Shen, Shailendra Singh, Shen, Singh, Kane Wu, Julie Zhu, Sriram, Louise Heavens, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Sequoia, Sequoia Capital, XV Partners, HK, PDD Holdings, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe, Sequoia China, Sequoia India, Oyo, Mumbai

☆ US venture capital titan Sequoia to split off China business amid tension with Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington, DC CNN —Venture capital titan Sequoia is splitting its business into three independent partnerships, each with separate brands. Sequoia Capital executives briefed investors Tuesday about the plans, which are expected to be completed by March 2024. The firm’s operations in Europe and the United States will retain the current name, Sequoia Capital. Its Chinese unit, Sequoia China, will use its current Chinese name, HongShan. The company’s business operations in India and Southeast Asia will be spun off into a partnership named Peak XV Partners.

Persons: hyping, Roelof Botha, Neil Shen, Shailendra Singh, Biden, TikTok Organizations: DC CNN — Venture, Sequoia Capital, XV Partners, Apple, Sequoia, Republicans, US, Street Journal Locations: Washington, China, Beijing, Europe, United States, Sequoia China, India, Southeast Asia, Montana

☆ The decision to split Sequoia Capital into 3 entities puts to bed any questions of a power struggle at the VC powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

VC powerhouse Sequoia Capital announced Tuesday that it is splitting into three entities. One of those entities, Sequoia China, known locally as HongShan, will operate as a distinct firm. The mighty Sequoia Capital is dropping branches. The decision puts to bed any question of a power struggle at one of Silicon Valley's most respected firms. And unlike some other global firms that had veto power over investments overseas, according to Bloomberg, Sequoia China had full autonomy to strike its own deals.

Persons: Roelof Botha, Neil Shen, Forbes, Alex Konrad, Doug Leone, Instagram, Bytedance, Botha, Shen, Julian Bek, Elon Musk's Organizations: Sequoia Capital, Sequoia, XV Partners, YouTube, Bloomberg, Shen, Sequoia China, Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Accel, Elon, Twitter, Fidelity Locations: Sequoia China, China, Europe, HongShan, India, Southeast Asia, Sequoia, Sequoia Capital China, Asia, Silicon Valley, London, FTX

MiniMax was founded in 2021 by some former employees of SenseTime (0020.HK), including Yan Junjie - a former vice president at the Chinese AI firm, two other people said. Wang Huiwen, co-founder of on-demand service giant Meituan (3690.HK), said he has founded a new AI company called Beijing Lightyear Technology with $50 million from investors. Google China's former chief, Kai-Fu Lee, has unveiled his new startup - Project AI 2.0. Wang Xiaochuan, founder of China's No.2 search engine Sogou, said in April that he had founded Baichuan Intelligence with a startup capital of $50 million. Its other early investors include China's Yunqi Partners and Future Capital, statements from the venture capital funds show.

Persons: MiniMax, Yan Junjie, Wang Huiwen, Kai, Fu Lee, Wang Xiaochuan, China's, MiHoYo, Charlie Chai, ERNIE Bot, Chai, Roxanne Liu, Josh Ye, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Microsoft, HK, Huawei, Baidu, Beijing Lightyear Technology, Google, Baichuan Intelligence, China's Yunqi Partners, Future, 86Research, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HONG KONG, China, Beijing, miHoYo, Hong Kong

☆ Chinese star banker Bao Fan detained by country’s top anti-graft body, state media says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The mysterious disappearance of Bao has sent a chill through financial markets and China’s tech sector. Shares in China Renaissance had plunged more than 20% until they were suspended from trading in early April. China Renaissance had previously revealed only that Bao was “cooperating in an investigation” being carried out by certain authorities in the country. The specific agencies handling Bao’s case include the CCDI’s international cooperation bureau and Beijing’s municipal anti-graft authorities, the Economic Observer said. Cong has been detained by anti-corruption authorities since September for matters related to his tenure at ICBC Financial Leasing, the Economic Observer said.

Persons: Bao Fan, Bao, didn’t, Mike Blake, dealmaker, Xi, Cong Lin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Economic Observer, Central Commission, CNN, Communist Party, China Renaissance, Analysts, China’s, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, Financial Leasing Locations: Hong Kong, China, Bao, Laguna Beach , California, Dianping

☆ China Renaissance chairman's detention extended by 3 months -report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, May 31 (Reuters) - The detention of Bao Fan, chairman of investment bank China Renaissance Holdings (1911.HK), has been extended for another three months beginning May 7, Chinese financial publication Economic Observer reported on Wednesday, citing sources. Bao was taken away by disciplinary and supervision officials on February 7 and detained, the report said. China Renaissance did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Late in February, the bank said in an exchange filing that Bao, its star dealmaker, was co-operating with authorities in their investigation. Bao's disappearance in February saw shares in the investment bank plunge as much as 50%.

Persons: Bao Fan, Bao, Didi, Kuaidi, Andrew Heavens, Jason Neely Organizations: China Renaissance Holdings, HK, Central Commission, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China

☆ This winning fund puts a spin on emerging markets investing with bets from Nvidia to Chinese spirits
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Artisan Developing World Fund (ARTYX) is crushing the market this year by tilting the traditional investing principles in emerging markets. "These are companies that are based in developed markets but economically tied to emerging markets," Kaufman said in an interview. By domicile, Artisan Developing World Fund has just 57% of its portfolio in emerging markets. However, the emerging markets exposure should rise to 70% when looking at the economic exposure by revenue, Kaufman said. Other than those passport companies, the fund also invests in a slew of companies domiciled in emerging markets.

☆ China's tech sector may see fewer regulatory surprises — not zero, says S&P Global Ratings
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MAY 10: A visitor takes photos of Ehang 216 electrical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) during the Exposition on China Brand 2023 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center on May 10, 2023 in Shanghai, China. But the scope for surprises should be significantly diminished and they shouldn't result in significant operational challenges, as occurred in 2021," said S&P Global Ratings, in a report. "China's internet sector has emerged from its regulatory shakeup. Policymakers are signaling support and seem done with big legal changes or sweeping actions," said the report entitled "China's internet regulations: Fewer surprises, not zero surprises." China's crackdown on its large tech companies started in 2020, which saw the government imposing new regulations on tech.

☆ China's internet giants bet big on A.I. as Beijing looks to rival U.S. on tech 'paradigm shift'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"This kind of computing power needs to be provided as a kind of public service or infrastructure. China, specifically, "has some of the most advanced AI tech in the world," he added. "We believe this is a Game of Thrones also playing out in the China Tech market as the gloves are on for this battle," Ives said. Many innovative vendors are going after this market and China tech is now in the midst of a secular shift around AI." The comments from some of China's top tech companies last week hint at how Beijing is seeking to ramp up its rivalry with the U.S. on AI.

Persons: BABA BABA, Robin Li, Baidu, Ernie Bot, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Tencent, Martin Lau, Lau, Alibaba, Daniel Zhang, Dan Ives, Ives, Hao Hong, CNBC's, —, Tencent's Lau, Baidu's Li, Didi, Meituan Organizations: HK, Microsoft, Google, Wedbush Securities, CNBC, China Tech, Big Tech, Baidu, U.S, Nvidia, chipmaker Micron, Grow Investment Locations: China, Beijing, U.S, Alibaba

☆ Consumers in China are dining at nicer restaurants — even if it costs $500 a person
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, a brand called Lu Style opened four new restaurants in the last three years in Beijing and Shanghai. Since Lu Style launched in 2016, more people no longer focus on just being able to eat, said Tian Junfeng, director of operations. Tian said Lu Style will be focused on improving customer service in the coming months. The 2023 rankings selected 304 restaurants — most of which were in China, including Lu Style. Two Lu Style locations have one Michelin star each, and the France-based guide includes more than 400 restaurants in mainland China.

Search resuls for: "Meituan"

25 mentions found