28 h. ago US vows reprieve on some tech export restrictions as talks with China begin in London

Top economic officials from Washington and Beijing have launched a high-stakes round of trade talks in London, with a senior White House official signaling soon after the start that the US will ease some tech export restrictions on China, adding that he expected the Chinese government to ramp up rare earth mineral exports to American markets. The Chinese and American delegations – led by China’s vice-premier, He Lifeng, alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard...

Politics

28 h. ago US hints at reprieve on some tech export restrictions as talks with China begin

Top economic officials from Washington and Beijing launched a high-stakes round of trade talks in London, with a senior White House official signalling soon after the start that the US would ease some tech export restrictions on China, adding that he expected the Chinese government to ramp up rare earth mineral exports to American markets. The Chinese and American delegations – led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick...

Politics

48 h. ago Beijing academy introduces ‘RoboBrain’ AI model to power humanoid robots in China

Beijing academy introduces ‘RoboBrain’ AI model to power humanoid robots in China  Tech Edition

Politics

3 d. ago Beijing academy unveils ‘RoboBrain’ AI model for China’s humanoids

The Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI), a non-profit research laboratory in China, launched on Friday a series of new open-source artificial intelligence (AI) models designed to be the “brain” of robots, as the country rushes to build smarter machines. The use of powerful AI models in China’s booming robotics industry could accelerate the development and adoption of humanoids, as the sector addresses challenges such as limited model capabilities and a lack of training data,...

Politics

7 d. ago Military mishap risks rise with PLA’s ‘grey zone operations’: Taiwan ex

The risks of a cross-strait military accident are on the rise as Beijing steps up pressure on Taiwan, a former Taiwanese defence official has warned, citing the lack of direct communication channels between the two sides. Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, who served as Taiwan’s deputy defence minister for four years and briefly held the role of minister, spoke to the South China Morning Post on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security conference. Yang raised concerns over the...

Events

1 week ago Unitree Robotics changes to joint stock limited company, fanning IPO speculation

China’s top humanoid robot start-up Unitree Robotics has converted into a company limited by shares, a move that has fanned speculation around its public listing plans, as Chinese robotics firms rapidly expand amid the country’s fervour for the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled machines. Unitree has changed from a limited liability company into a joint stock limited company, an equivalent to a company limited by shares, according to records on Chinese corporate database Qichacha published on...

Politics

1 week ago China, Russia ‘fighting together’ against terror and other threats: Chen Wenqing

China’s top security official Chen Wenqing pledged Beijing’s law enforcement cooperation with Moscow on terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug trafficking, as he wrapped up a seven-day trip that began in Hungary, followed by Russia. In a meeting on Tuesday with his counterpart Sergei Shoigu, Chen told him that “we are fighting together against attempts to harm sovereignty, security and development issues”, according to Russia’s news agency Tass. “We are jointly countering terrorism,...

Events

1 week ago China’s Honor Developing Humanoid Robots in $10 Billion AI Plan

China’s Honor Developing Humanoid Robots in $10 Billion AI Plan  Bloomberg.com

Economics

1 week ago Chinese premier returns to Beijing after official visit to Indonesia, ASEAN

Chinese premier returns to Beijing after official visit to Indonesia, ASEAN-China-GCC summit in Malaysia  Xinhua

Politics

1 week ago More than a show: China’s robot fights offer ringside view of tech advancements

They dance, they run, they punch – but they never break a sweat or flinch in pain. China’s humanoid robots are increasingly entering human arenas, participating in real-world sports competitions that expose them to unpredictable, complex environments – and, as analysts note, generate valuable data to advance their development. On Sunday, the world’s first kickboxing contest featuring humanoid robots kicked off in the eastern city of Hangzhou. Four Unitree G1 robots – donning helmets and boxing...

Sport

1 week ago ‘Never right’: why there’s a war of words over Beijing’s English translations

America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio has made clear that he does not trust Beijing’s English translations of Chinese officials’ words – he says they are “never right”. The China hawk has instead urged his colleagues to go back to the original Chinese version of statements put out by Beijing to get a more accurate understanding of what is going on. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, appears to be the most powerful diplomat under President Donald Trump. He is the first person since Henry Kissinger...

Events

1 week ago War of the words: why top US diplomat Rubio is lost in China’s translations

America’s top diplomat Marco Rubio has made clear that he does not trust Beijing’s English translations of Chinese officials’ words – he says they are “never right”. The China hawk has instead urged his colleagues to go back to the original Chinese version of statements put out by Beijing to get a more accurate understanding of what is going on. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, appears to be the most powerful diplomat under President Donald Trump. He is the first person since Henry Kissinger...

Politics

2 w. ago China launches first humanoid robot tournament with human control

China launches first humanoid robot tournament with human control  MARCA

Politics

2 w. ago Ready, set, fight: Unitree humanoid robots test skills in kickboxing competition

Humanoid robots from start-up Unitree Robotics showed off their fighting form at a unique kickboxing competition held in Hangzhou on Sunday, weeks after Beijing hosted the world’s first half-marathon where these machines raced alongside humans. Organised by state-owned China Media Group and broadcast live by China Central Television (CCTV), the competition saw four Unitree G1 humanoid robots square off in one-on-one matches where they punched, kicked and even did a kip-up – an acrobatic...

Sport

2 w. ago World’s first humanoid robot boxing match kicks off in China, showcasing tech prowess

World’s first humanoid robot boxing match kicks off in China, showcasing tech prowess  Global Times

Politics

3 w. ago China's humanoid robots will not replace human workers: Official

China's humanoid robots will not replace human workers: Official  CNA

Politics

3 w. ago Beijing Official Confirms Humanoid Robot Will Not Replace Human Workers

Beijing Official Confirms Humanoid Robot Will Not Replace Human Workers  VOI.ID

Politics

3 w. ago China assures humanoid robots won’t trigger mass unemployment, says Beijing tech official

China assures humanoid robots won’t trigger mass unemployment, says Beijing tech official  Telegraph India

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong facing ‘challenges’ of rising unilateralism, Beijing official warns

Cui Jianchun, Beijing’s top envoy in Hong Kong, also calls on city’s youth to ‘take up responsibility for their home soil’.

Events

3 w. ago ‘Reprehensible’: Hong Kong slams US senators behind latest sanctions bid

Cui Jianchun, Beijing’s top envoy in Hong Kong, also warns of impact of rising unilateralism and protectionism.

Politics