Zolix, a major Chinese supplier of precision optical instruments and mechanical control technologies, is expanding its domestic and international presence despite macroeconomic challenges, including tariffs. The company has established branches in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi'an, while also maintaining distributors in France, Poland, and South Korea

Chinese lidar manufacturer Hesai Technology announced on September 15, 2025, that it has deepened cooperation with a leading US robotaxi company by signing a lidar order exceeding US$40 million. Hesai will exclusively supply lidar sensors to this autonomous driving firm, with deliveries scheduled for completion by the end of 2026

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group (FMSH), one of China's major IC design companies, has been placed on the US Commerce Department's Entity List with the strict Footnote 4 (FN4) designation. The label requires licenses for all US export-controlled technologies supplied to FMSH, with approvals almost certain to be denied. The FN4 status effectively blocks the company's access to critical chip design tools and manufacturing services, cutting off its development pipeline

Qualcomm has introduced its latest flagship mobile platform, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, built using TSMC's 3nm process and incorporating a customized Oryon core to deliver improved performance. Simultaneously, Chinese consumer electronics giant Xiaomi announced that its next-generation smartphones will bypass the "16" series and launch directly as the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, all powered by Qualcomm's new chip

Chinese display panel manufacturer TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) has announced plans to invest CNY29.5 billion (approximately US$4.14 billion) to build the world's first 8.6-generation OLED production line using inkjet printing technology in Guangzhou

The Trump administration has officially reduced the tariff rate on passenger cars imported from Japan from 27.5% to 15%, effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 16, 2025 (1:01 p.m. Japan time), according to documents released by the US Department of Commerce. However, ambiguity remains over whether Japan's semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries will receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment under the agreement

AI-powered smart glasses are gaining momentum, yet analysts expect Meta to dominate the market until at least 2027, as Apple and Google's competing devices remain in development. Industry executives say Taiwanese firms must enhance vertical integration and reinforce supply chain strengths to secure business in markets beyond China

China's technology industry is witnessing a surge in demand for domestic production and automation equipment, driven by broad environmental trends. The development pace differs across regions, reflecting local industrial ecosystems, with the emerging "low-altitude economy" gaining recognition as a vital sector for future growth

South Korea's information and communications technology (ICT) exports in August 2025 reached a record high for the period compared to previous years. Due to rising memory semiconductor prices and increased investment in artificial intelligence server infrastructure, semiconductor export values also reached an all-time high

Chinese display manufacturers are significantly increasing investments in 8.6G OLED panels for IT applications. These investments, set to accelerate from the second half of 2025 through 2026, are expected to revitalize related upstream equipment industries. Major Chinese firms such as BOE, Visionox Technology, and TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) are preparing new production lines designed for medium to large-sized IT panels, including notebooks and tablets. These expansions signal higher demand for sophisticated equipment, benefiting Korean suppliers like Sunic System

ASM Technologies, an India-based publicly listed company in engineering design-led manufacturing, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Tamil Nadu to invest INR2.5 billion (approx. US$28.38 million) in the state

The US–China semiconductor dispute has entered a new phase of escalation, with the US Department of Commerce adding 23 Chinese entities to its Entity List, including 13 semiconductor firms spanning Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuxi, and Changsha. The sweeping action underscores Washington's strategic focus on both technology controls and broad regional reach across China's chip ecosystem

Power semiconductors, particularly silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), emerged as key themes at SEMICON Taiwan 2025. The toughest competition was in SiC equipment, with Chinese, US, and Japanese suppliers all aggressively fighting for market share

The US and China have outlined a framework deal to resolve disputes over TikTok's US operations, officials said after trade talks in Madrid. The agreement marks progress toward easing tensions but faces hurdles over algorithm ownership, compliance with US law, and approval from both governments

Samsung's ambitious US expansion faces an unexpected obstacle that could derail its 2026 production timeline. A mounting visa crisis, triggered by immigration raids on South Korean workers, is creating ripple effects across the semiconductor industry's most critical supply chains