China announced sanctions against five US subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean on October 14, 2025. The move comes on the eve of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, and signals China's growing retaliatory actions against the US, which are now beginning to affect South Korean companies

Apple COO Sabih Khan made his first visit to China's supply chain on October 14, 2025, highlighting the company's efforts to advance sustainable manufacturing at key suppliers. The visit included stops at AAC Technologies Holdings and Lens Technology, underscoring Apple's ongoing commitment to achieving carbon neutrality

China Mobile announced at its global partner conference in Guangzhou that it plans to exclusively use domestically produced chips across the country's largest artificial intelligence (AI) computing network by 2028. The move seeks to accelerate AI autonomy and reduce reliance on foreign technology amid growing geopolitical tensions

LG Energy Solution (LGES) reported preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2025, posting an operating profit of KRW 601.3 billion (approx. US$423 million), up 34.1% year-over-year and surpassing market expectations. Despite reduced customer demand following the US removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, LGES's expanding energy storage system (ESS) business successfully offset the impact

The golden age of TV in South Korea is fading fast. Once the indispensable centerpiece of every home, the TV is now fighting for relevance as younger viewers turn to their smartphones and streaming services for entertainment. Korean electronics giants Samsung and LG are now fighting a two-front war: a cultural shift away from traditional viewing at home and a relentless market assault from surging Chinese competitors

Qiyunfang, a subsidiary of SiCarrier, officially released two domestically developed Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software products at the SEMiBAY 2025 event on October 15. The announcement represents a major advancement for China's efforts to achieve technological independence in EDA design software, a critical area in semiconductor manufacturing

Chinese tech conglomerate Wingtech Technology and its Dutch subsidiary Nexperia have been caught in an escalating geopolitical storm, facing export restrictions from both the US and China

Shenzhen state-owned SiCarrier Technologies Co. is intensifying its efforts to localize semiconductor equipment production by integrating manufacturing capabilities with advanced testing instruments. The company plans to unveil new products at the 2025 SEMiBAY beginning October 15, 2025, signaling strong local government support for expanding China's domestic semiconductor equipment sector

Vivo has positioned itself at the forefront of advancing smartphone photography by incorporating teleconverter lenses as standard accessories in its flagship devices. Oppo is expected to adopt a similar approach with its upcoming Find X9 series, signaling a potential shift among high-end Android manufacturers to prioritize telephoto lens enhancements in premium models

Vivo unveiled its new X300 flagship series in Shanghai on October 13, 2025, highlighting deepened collaboration with Zeiss to differentiate and enhance imaging and video recording capabilities. The company also launched OriginOS 6, optimizing the user interface and AI integration to strengthen brand and product competitiveness

Tensions are flaring yet again between China and the US. China has reportedly made plans to impose export controls on certain lithium batteries, key anode and cathode materials, and manufacturing equipment starting November 8, 2025. If China enforces the controls, consumer electronics like notebooks will be significantly impacted. However, data center Battery Backup Unit (BBU) systems primarily use Japanese and Korean cells, making the impact there relatively limited

Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) Division, responsible for its semiconductor business, is reportedly crafting a new strategic blueprint tailored to each segment's characteristics. The goal is to restructure and realign its operations to build a stronger growth foundation

In a milestone for Taiwan's growing space ambitions, Japanese space startup ispace announced it has been selected by the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) to transport scientific instruments to the lunar surface aboard its 2028 mission

Memory module manufacturer Apacer Technology has, in recent years, been actively expanding into full-color cholesteric liquid crystal electronic paper (ChLCD ePaper). Recognizing that Japan has a strong demand for sustainable solutions, the company has joined forces with IRIS Optronics for CEATEC 2025 in Japan, showcasing the latest applications that combine low power consumption, reflective display, and outdoor visibility