Japanese manufacturing companies have experienced seven straight quarters of declining capital investments in China, extending through the second quarter of 2024. A survey by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) examined 5,300 overseas subsidiaries—primarily majority-owned manufacturing companies, Nikkei reports. The results showed a 16% year-over-year drop in capital investments in China, including Hong Kong, during the second quarter of 2024, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of decline
In recent years, the rise of the Chinese supply chain has been putting pressure on Taiwan-based manufacturers due to factors such as cost, customer supply chain strategies, and indigenous efforts
According to recent reports, Samsung Electronics (Samsung) has suspended all construction and equipment orders for its P4 and P5 plants in Pyeongtaek and has decided to exit the LED market. South Korea-based industry personnel believe that the head of Samsung's Device Solutions (DS) division, Young Hyun Jun, may use the poor performance in the third quarter of 2024 as an opportunity to initiate significant reforms
Tesla's self-driving ambitions are facing a critical test as it seeks to penetrate China's intelligent vehicle market, where the rules of the game are already being reshaped
China has been at the forefront of self-driving technology development, with around 20 cities conducting extensive trials. Beyond major metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Hong Kong is also making significant strides in the field. The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is set to launch pilot trials of autonomous buses on public roads in the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city's smart mobility initiatives
Following an EV fire incident at a parking lot in Incheon, South Korea, in August 2024, research to mitigate thermal runaway in charging batteries has been expedited. Battery-related companies and firms in the refining sector have proposed various solutions, including new materials, cutoff devices, and applications of liquid cooling technology
The memory industry is facing noise regarding market supply and demand imbalances. The rapid capacity expansion by Chinese memory manufacturers has raised concerns regarding its impact on market competition and profitability
Although TV sales in China have been sluggish for a while, the recent government initiative of the trade-in subsidy program has sparked a wave of consumer activity during the 2024 National Day holiday. Both sales volume and revenue saw significant growth compared to the same period in 2023, with the policy's benefits expected to extend into the upcoming Double Eleventh Day shopping festival
Following the launch of successive countervailing probes by US regulators into China's solar industry, related Chinese industry leaders appear to be looking for solutions to end fierce industry competition
Prices of mainstream 6-inch SiC substrates have fallen since the beginning of this year and are expected to keep lowering as Chinese SiC substrate suppliers expand their production, according to industry sources
The SiC substrate sector has quickly shifted from shortage to oversupply in 2024, thanks to aggressive expansions of 6-inch capacity at Chinese suppliers
At a recent International Forum on Supply Chain Resilience, scholars raised urgent concerns about China's strategy of increasing global dependence on its economy while simultaneously reducing its reliance on the world through self-sufficiency. The theme of "trust" emerged repeatedly as a crucial element in countering China's tactics, yet the proposed approaches predominantly focused on supply-side solutions
In response to geopolitical shifts and evolving client demands, Foxconn has been investing heavily in manufacturing expansion across Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Meanwhile, its recent hiring drive in Zhengzhou, China, has sparked speculation that production issues at its Indian facilities may have prompted a renewed focus on Chinese operations. Foxconn, however, has clarified that this hiring is tied to seasonal shifts in production needs, denying any quality discrepancies between its Indian and Chinese plants
A recent breakdown of a semiconductor joint venture between Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) and Japan's SBI Holdings has led to differing statements between the parties involved. However, industry insiders had long anticipated this outcome. While the Japanese side accuses the Taiwanese company of breaking promises, supply chain sources suggest that Japan may need to shoulder half the responsibility
