Zhipu, a leading AI company in China, has recently incorporated government funds from Beijing and Shenzhen as its shareholders. The recent financial influx highlights the persistent interest of investors in Chinese AI businesses, even amidst technological limitations imposed by the US.

On the 1st of November, the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, known for its earlier undisclosed investment in a startup in March as per local news, funneled an additional 465,090 yuan (equivalent to US$65,288) into Zhipu AI. This influx of capital allowed the fund to acquire a 1.49% share in the company, as seen in the records of the Chinese corporate database, Qichacha.

On the same day, Zhipu AI also secured funding from entities governed by the local administrations of the southern tech hotspot, Shenzhen, and the central province of Hubei. This increased the company's registered capital from 27.91 million yuan to approximately 31.07 million yuan, as per data from Qichacha.

Zhipu AI, a company based in Beijing, didn't quickly reply to a comment request on Monday.

Oppo, the renowned Chinese smartphone manufacturer, is set to open a shared AI research facility in Hong Kong, in partnership with PolyU. Oppo has committed to providing US$4.2 million in funding over the coming five years to enhance its cooperation with PolyU in the field of AI imaging technology.

Oppo has committed a minimum of 30 million yuan (equivalent to US$4.2 million) last Friday. This funding, set for the next five years, is aimed at enhancing their joint endeavors with PolyU in the field of AI imaging technology. It is also purposed to escalate the size of joint training for PhD and postdoctoral researchers.

"The main objective of the research center is to foster skills and abilities," stated Zhang Lei, the head professor of computer vision and image analysis at PolyU's computing department, in a recent interview with the South China Morning Post.

The upcoming facility, which is an expansion of a combined innovation laboratory established two years prior, is anticipated to be functional by January of the following year. The goal is to hire approximately 25 PhD researchers and a number of postdoctoral applicants within a span of five years.

GenAI pertains to certain algorithms, like ChatGPT, which are capable of generating fresh content that encompasses audio, code, pictures, written material, simulations, and videos.

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Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are gaining popularity in Hong Kong due to the unstable stock market. There's been a 48% annual increase in net fund flows, with an ETF that follows the Hang Seng Index exceeding Tencent in daily trading volume.

The exchange-traded fund (ETF) market in Hong Kong is experiencing an unprecedented year due to the latest market surge, its increased participation in the cross-border Stock Connect scheme, and a range of new offerings, featuring Asia's inaugural ETF linked to digital assets.

The inflow of funds in Hong Kong's exchange-traded product (ETP) market, encompassing ETFs and leveraged and inverse products, saw a 48 percent jump year on year, reaching HK$46.7 billion in the initial 10 months, as per statistics from HKEX. This increase pushed the total assets managed by the ETP market close to HK$500 billion.

The financial markets have been unstable as investors anticipate further monetary aid actions and monitor the execution of strategies in China.

He also mentioned that during the recent surge, ETFs made up over 15 percent of the total cash market trading volume.

The study reveals that Chinese AI companies are spending heavily on advertisements as the chatbot market becomes increasingly saturated. Major tech companies like Alibaba and ByteDance, including various start-ups, invested a staggering $70.2 million in the third quarter to market their AI-based products.

The businesses haven't disclosed their marketing expenditure. According to AppGrowing, their spending estimates are derived from publicly available data such as financial results and external marketing measurements, which include daily active users, charges, ad volumes, and the effective cost per thousand. These data sets are amalgamated to estimate a platform's advertising revenue and the ad placement strategies of advertisers over a specified time frame. The company, which refers to these figures as merely "for reference", deducts the ad spend from these elements.

Recent figures have sparked discussions in China about whether local AI companies are investing excessively fast in an attempt to profit from their products. There are concerns within the sector that an overemphasis on commercially viable products rather than basic research may eventually increase the tech disparity with the US.

One hour and forty

Beijing is the venue for the World Robot Conference as China looks to broaden its humanoid robot industry

ByteDance chose not to give a statement. Moonshot AI has not yet replied to a request for their input on the matter this Thursday.

Apple is investigating the potential of smart glasses, seemingly taking a cue from Meta. The tech giant is currently conducting an internal survey to collect opinions from its staff about smart glasses, according to insiders.

The project, known internally as Atlas, began last week and is centered around collecting insights from Apple staff about smart glasses, as per individuals familiar with the situation. More concentrated group discussions are anticipated in the upcoming period, according to these individuals who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the work. Apple's Product Systems Quality team, a segment of the hardware engineering department, is spearheading the research.

"Product development and testing that resonates with everyone is crucial to our operations at Apple," the team stated in an email sent to a chosen group of employees at the company's main office in Cupertino, California. "That's why we're seeking volunteers to be part of a forthcoming user study involving contemporary smart glasses."

In deciding if they should venture into a new category, Apple usually conducts confidential focus group discussions to grasp what appeals to people in current products. The firm generally prefers to utilize its employees instead of its customers for these discussions to keep their intentions under wraps. An Apple spokesperson chose not to comment.

Bloomberg News revealed in a report last month that the company conducted an internal study on a new app. This application, designed for individuals with pre-diabetes, monitors variations in their blood sugar levels and dietary habits.

Recent research indicates that Apple is progressing with its independent development of smart glasses. Bloomberg earlier revealed that the company behind iPhone is contemplating entering the sector, possibly posing a threat to Meta's Ray-Ban device. However, the realization of an actual product could still be several years in the future.

China's second largest electric vehicle charging company partners with Schneider to challenge the European market in the midst of a tariff dispute. This new alliance indicates that Chinese firms are undeterred by higher tariffs as they strive to increase their global market presence.

The firm has entered into a contract with Schneider Electric, a French corporation, to establish a European enterprise aimed at promoting the electrification of the region's vehicle sector, according to a company representative. The project's goal is to supply the market with electric vehicle charging systems, solar power inverters, charging devices, and storage systems.

"There's a significant need for high-quality electric vehicle charging stations in Europe, and our partnership with Schneider is poised to provide the best solution for local businesses and consumers," stated Evan Feng, Chief Strategy Officer, during a discussion. "Schneider, being a worldwide pioneer in energy management and digital automation, anticipates that our research, development, and production abilities will be advantageous to the European auto industry."

The deal depends on standard finalizing terms, such as approval from regulatory authorities. Feng chose not to reveal the magnitude of the company's financial commitment.

The recent agreement further indicates that the progress of electric vehicle technologies and facilities developed by China is surpassing their international competitors in Europe. It implies that the strict import charges imposed by the European Union may not deter the top Chinese companies in essential parts and charging services from expanding worldwide.

China's Prime Minister, Li Qiang, promises to further open the country's economy to help stabilize the global market. During the China International Import Expo (CIIE), Li emphasized the significance of making the Chinese market more accessible to trade allies.

"China will continue to expand its massive market and implement robust strategies to provide opportunities to other nations," he stated. "We possess the capability to stimulate our economic growth. In its unique manner, China is contributing to the global economy."

Li's remarks were made amidst China's struggle with a declining economy. The previous quarter saw China's economic growth at an annual rate of 4.6 per cent, marking its slowest since the middle of 2023. The Gross Domestic Product saw an increase of 4.8 per cent in the period from January to September, falling short of the official goal set at approximately 5 per cent.

On Tuesday, Li expressed that China has sufficient capacity to implement additional stimulus strategies. "We still possess the potential to initiate larger fiscal stimulus procedures to fight the cyclical deceleration," he stated. "We also maintain the adaptability to modify our monetary policies."

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang promises to further open up the country to help stabilize the international economy. Speaking at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), Li emphasized the significance of making their market more accessible to trade allies.

"China is set to further liberalize its enormous market and implement robust actions to share opportunities with other nations," he stated. "We possess the capacity to stimulate our own economic growth. China is contributing to the global economy in its unique manner."

Li's address arrives amidst China's struggle with a faltering economy. The previous quarter saw China's economy expand at a yearly rate of 4.6 per cent, marking the slowest growth since the middle of 2023. Between January and September, the Gross Domestic Product increased by 4.8 per cent, falling short of the government's approximate 5 per cent goal.

On Tuesday, Li expressed that China has substantial capacity to introduce additional stimulus actions. He stated, "We have the capability to implement larger fiscal stimulus strategies to fight the cyclical decline." He also mentioned, "We possess the adaptability to modify our monetary policies."

Beijing doesn't impose any limit on land sales, indicating a change in the property market. This is the first time since 2021 that market dynamics will determine the value of a piece of land, along with the cost of residences constructed on it.

Spanning over an area of 63,700 square meters (721,000 square feet) in Fengtai district, the property's initial cost is estimated to be around 11 billion yuan (US$1.5 billion), as stated by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources in their official announcement.

This is the third piece of land up for sale this year priced over 10 billion yuan and is predicted to house 178,300 square meters of floor space, according to the announcement. Its location is at the crossroads of two metro lines and in close proximity to shopping centers and parks. Additionally, a transport hub, nearing completion, will link the site to Beijing Daxing International Airport in just 20 minutes.

The announcement didn't set a maximum cost for the land nor did it specify the guideline prices that developers need to adhere to for houses constructed on the property. This is the initial time such stipulations have been left out since March 2021, when the city implemented these limitations to control soaring real estate prices in an overheated market.

The limitations imposed greatly reduced the flexibility for developers to modify the costs of new properties according to market trends, thus hindering the revival of the real estate market in the world's second biggest economy. This comes in the wake of a deceleration that began in 2021 when Beijing implemented stricter regulations on developer loans.

"The elimination of a price cap is directly linked to the diminished market mood," stated Meng Xinzeng, a researcher at China Index Academy. "The land market has seen a slowdown for the past year, compelling numerous cities to abandon price constraints this year."

Hong Kong dominates the Greater Bay Area in sectors of finance, logistics, and tourism, as indicated by an index. The city also ranks highest in aspects of culture and sports, based on a ranking index from Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) and Dah Sing Bank.

According to the initial GBA Industry Development Index report by Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) and Dah Sing Bank, Hong Kong leads in sectors such as finance, commerce, logistics, culture, sports and tourism. The other sectors that were evaluated include technology and innovation, manufacturing, and construction and real estate.

Jane Lee, president of OHKF, stated at the index launch that Hong Kong must proactively merge with mainland China's overall progression. She emphasized that the city should fully utilize its distinct position, adhere to common law, and uphold international professional standards under the one country, two systems principle. She also suggested that Hong Kong should look for fresh opportunities and cultivate mutual benefits with other cities in the bay area, fostering collaboration and promoting industry change.

Special Report | Australia deploys biggest commerce delegation to China to market dairy, Wagyu beef, and wine at CIIE

Roughly 70 per cent of the Australian companies within this group are from the food and drink industry.

The Shanghai-based China International Import Expo (CIIE) commenced on Tuesday. The six-day affair aims to underscore the potency of China's relationships with its trade allies.

Close to 70% of the companies in Australia's delegation are involved in the food and beverage industry, offering products like milk, Wagyu beef, and wine. The Team Australia Pavilion represents a joint effort between the government and private industry.

John Madew, the senior trade and investment commissioner stationed in Shanghai, conveyed that Australia has a substantial representation at the current year's CIIE, spanning across sectors like wine and beverages, beef and lamb, seafood, packaged foods, health and consumer products. He further stated that these top-notch products are greatly valued by the consumers in China.

Representatives from Australia anticipate finalizing several deals this week, cumulatively worth A$300 million (US$198 million), as per an official statement from the Australian government. The financial gain is expected to increase as the expo continues.

In the previous year, businesses from China approved contracts valued at $78.4 billion with global exhibitors at CIIE, a 6.7% increase from the prior year, as stated by the event coordinator. The current year's exhibition has attracted 3,500 exhibitors from over 150 different countries and areas, with prominent international corporations such as Volkswagen and beauty company L’Oreal included.