On December 12, 2024, Malaysia marked a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey by officially launching the National AI Office (NAIO), a dedicated institution focused on AI policies and regulations to establish the country as a leading AI hub in Southeast Asia
Days after the US government announced fresh countervailing duties on solar products from Southeast Asian countries, targeting Chinese companies, China-based solar inverter manufacturer Ningbo Deye announced its intention to invest US$150 million in establishing a subsidiary in Malaysia to manufacture solar energy and storage products
In a strategic move to diversify its display supply chain, Apple has selected Tianma Microelectronics to provide 7-inch LCD panels for its upcoming screen-equipped HomePod, scheduled for release in 2025. The Chinese manufacturer secured the contract with an aggressive pricing of US$10 per unit, which industry observers note is exceptionally competitive even among Chinese suppliers
The Taiwan government's unclear position on renewable energy manufacturing has triggered a "race to the bottom" across its clean energy sectors in 2024. The recent controversy over Sino-American Silicon's production halt highlights solar power challenges, while the domestic offshore wind initiative faces even steeper setbacks
Despite continued weak demand for South Korean displays and components in 2024, an unexpected recovery has emerged near year-end. Analysts interpret this trend as a response to the impending inauguration of Donald Trump, prompting Chinese finished equipment manufacturers to actively build component inventories to mitigate potential escalation in the US-China trade war
Chinese automakers, led by BYD, are leveraging hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to strengthen their foothold in the European market, where the European Union's (EU) increased tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) notably exclude HEV systems
Rapidus has established strategic partnerships with two leading electronic design automation (EDA) companies to expedite the mass production of next-generation semiconductor chips
Samsung Electronics is doubling down on mature process foundry services while strengthening partnerships with IC design firms to expand its footprint in China, carefully navigating US export controls
Ji Yue Auto's sudden collapse has jolted the industry, marking a sharp and unceremonious shift in Baidu's automotive ambitions. Once the tech giant's symbol of its car-making aspirations, Ji Yue's overnight downfall signals Baidu's potential retreat from the automaking arena. The move highlights the mounting difficulties of sustaining vehicle production in a sector notorious for high risk and heavy investment
Given the current competitive landscape among Chinese automakers, it is not surprising that new entrants face challenges in vehicle manufacturing. However, Ji Yue's recent turmoil seems to have inadvertently provided an opportunity for its competitor, Xiaomi, especially since CEO Jun Lei had previously boasted about ensuring 18 months' worth of salaries for employees, drawing renewed attention from the public
The competition to dominate Asia's nascent floating offshore wind market is intensifying, with Taiwan and South Korea emerging as frontrunners while Japan's cautious approach risks leaving it behind in the region's renewable energy transformation
The Chinese government has ramped up actions against Nvidia, including reopening antitrust investigations and abruptly removing all products from the company's Tmall flagship store. These measures are widely viewed as Beijing's response to recent US Department of Commerce sanctions
LG Display (LGD) has spent over a decade investing in OLED TV panel technology. However, the market's growth remains sluggish as Samsung Electronics and Chinese manufacturers prioritize LCD TVs. Analysts anticipate a limited recovery in the OLED TV market before 2025
TSMC and Samsung Electronics (Samsung) are set to begin mass production of 2nm technology starting in 2025. Both industry giants are actively vying for customer orders. The South Korean industry believes that while TSMC has a slight edge in development progress and securing clients, Samsung is determined not to back down and is accelerating its efforts to compete
