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Mar 10
Commentary: China's AI focus shifts from DeepSeek V4 to OpenClaw AI agents

Sentiment in China's AI developer ecosystem is shifting. Attention that had focused on the upcoming release of the large AI model DeepSeek V4 is now moving to another topic: OpenClaw and the developer practice known as "raising the lobster," which has triggered wide discussion across AI communities.

Bearing manufacturer Jarllytec said February 2026 will be a short-term operational trough as it ships new Chinese foldable smartphone hinges, with gradual recovery expected as shipments of Chinese smartphones and US-brand notebooks pick up.
TDK announced the establishment of its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Bangalore, India, marking the company's fifth regional headquarters after Japan, Europe, the Americas, and China. A new legal entity, TDK Asia-Pacific, will work with TDK Singapore to manage more than 20 TDK entities across India, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Those teams account for nearly 17% of TDK's approximately 105,000 global employees.
Optiemus Infracom Limited informed stock exchanges that its Operations & Administration Committee approved further investments in two wholly owned subsidiaries in a meeting held on March 9.
Smart Factory + Automation World (AW) 2026 wrapped up its three-day run from March 4–6 at the COEX exhibition center in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The event showcased the transformation of manufacturing through AI and humanoid robotics.
Despite fewer working days in February 2026, electronics and equipment manufacturer Asus reported strong momentum from AI servers. For the first two months of 2026, the group's cumulative revenue surged 46.67% compared with last year to NT$122.289 billion (US$3.8 billion), while Asus brand revenue jumped 49.76% to NT$113.115 billion.
Memory shortages and price increases continue to escalate. To avoid even higher prices, vendors are shipping products sooner rather than later. However, two major notebook ODMs, Quanta and Compal, have both reported that they have not seen any early pull-in effects. Both companies stated that first quarter 2026 NB shipments will still decline double digits quarter-on-quarter, with the seasonal slow period still evident.
Gemtek Technology's board approved the financial report for 2025 on March 9, reporting full-year consolidated revenue of NT$16.493 billion (approx. US$520 million) and a gross margin increase to 13.8%.
Software firm TPIsoftware said it expects double-digit revenue growth momentum in 2026, targets short-term profitability, and aims to double revenue within three to four years while fully promoting enterprise sovereign AI to help Taiwan's key industries build AI transformation capabilities.
Following Shenzhen Longgang district's rollout of the "Lobster Ten Measures" subsidy program supporting OpenClaw and OPC community development, the Wuxi National Hi-Tech District (WND) in Jiangsu province has introduced similar incentives. The district released a draft policy titled Several Measures on Supporting the Integrated Development of OpenClaw and Other Open-Source Community Projects with the OPC Community, outlining 12 measures with support of up to CNY5 million (approx. US$723,000) per project to attract AI agent developers and startup teams.

Industrial PC maker Winmate reported stronger-than-expected revenue in February 2026, supported by expanding demand for edge AI computing and rising global defense budgets that boosted defense-related shipments. Revenue from these segments doubled, the company said. Winmate added that the industry has entered a new growth cycle, providing clear momentum for operations and profitability in 2026.

Powerlogic reported consolidated revenue of NT$1.753 billion (US$54.9 million) for 2025, a 38.81% year-on-year increase and the company's second-highest revenue on record. Operating profit rose to NT$257 million, up 331.91% year on year.