Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang predicts that within the next ten years, factories worldwide will be dominated by robots and AI, transforming how goods are made and moved. He compares AI’s impact to game-changers like electricity and the internet, emphasizing its role in automating repetitive or dangerous tasks—potentially reshaping jobs and industries.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about flashy tech—it’s a glimpse into a near future where factories might look nothing like they do today. While AI-driven efficiency could boost productivity and safety, it also raises big questions about what happens to human workers. Huang’s vision hints at both opportunity and disruption, depending on who you ask.

Hong Kong stocks are on a hot streak, climbing for the fifth day in a row thanks to Nvidia’s decision to restart some chip sales to China—a sign that U.S.-China tensions might be cooling off. The Hang Seng Index hit its highest point since March, with tech stocks leading the charge, though mainland markets dipped slightly. Even Trip.com got a boost, jumping 3%.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about stocks—it’s a tentative sigh of relief for global tech trade. Nvidia’s move suggests some easing in the U.S.-China tech standoff, which could mean fewer supply chain headaches and more stability for investors. For now, at least, Hong Kong’s market is riding the optimism.

Skechers, the popular American shoe brand, is moving into a prime retail spot in Hong Kong’s bustling Causeway Bay—taking over a space once held by luxury Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe. The 1,036 sq ft store on Russell Street, one of the city’s priciest shopping strips, will cost Skechers about HK$360,000 a month in rent. The move highlights how global brands are capitalizing on lower rents in Hong Kong’s sluggish retail market.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a shoe store replacing a watch shop—it’s a sign of the times for Hong Kong’s retail scene. Luxury brands are scaling back, while more affordable, mass-market players like Skechers are swooping in to grab premium locations at lower costs. For shoppers, it might mean fewer high-end boutiques and more accessible brands in the city’s glitziest districts. For the market, it’s a clear indicator of shifting consumer trends and economic pressures post-pandemic.

Asian investors are dialing back slightly on their US stock investments as the dollar loses steam, but don’t expect a major retreat—they’re still deeply tied to American markets. A Morgan Stanley report shows their US holdings dipped by 0.7% last quarter, with China leading the cautious shift. Even so, nearly 41% of their portfolios remain parked in US assets, close to a seven-year high.

Editor’s Note: The dollar’s wobble is making some investors rethink short-term bets, but the US market’s size and stability mean Asia isn’t walking away anytime soon. For everyday folks, it’s a reminder that global money flows are fickle—what looks like a trend (less US exposure) might just be a tiny adjustment in a much bigger game.

Pop Mart, the Chinese toymaker behind the wildly popular Labubu collectibles, is expecting a massive jump in revenue and profit for the first half of 2025. The company just dropped a filing in Hong Kong predicting a 200% surge in revenue and a whopping 350% leap in profit compared to last year. Turns out, their quirky, art-inspired toys—especially Labubu—are crushing it globally.

Editor’s Note: Pop Mart’s explosive growth isn’t just a win for investors—it’s a sign that China’s creative consumer brands are gaining serious traction worldwide. Collectible toys might seem niche, but when a company’s profits triple, it’s clear there’s a booming market for playful, design-driven products. This could signal more global ambition from similar brands in China’s entertainment and lifestyle sectors.

Alibaba is launching a 100-day promotion called "Super Saturdays" to attract more users to its on-demand delivery service, Taobao Shangou. The campaign will offer subsidies of up to 188 yuan ($26) for small purchases like milk tea and breakfast, intensifying its competition with rivals Meituan and JD.com in China's crowded instant delivery market.

Unitree Robotics, a leading Chinese humanoid robot maker, is gearing up for a big year. Its CEO, Wang Xingxing, says global interest in their robots is surging, with deliveries expected to ramp up significantly by 2025. Speaking at a government event in Beijing, Wang highlighted China’s fast-growing robotics sector and Unitree’s role as one of Hangzhou’s rising tech stars.

Manus AI, the company behind a general-purpose AI agent, has reportedly let go of most of its Beijing staff and wiped its presence from Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and RedNote. The move comes as part of a restructuring effort tied to relocating its headquarters to Singapore. Users in China now see a message stating the service isn’t available in their region—a shift from earlier notices about a pending "Chinese version."

China has launched a new national cyber ID system, framed as "voluntary," which assigns citizens encrypted virtual IDs to supposedly safeguard personal data. While authorities claim it’s for security, critics worry it could tighten censorship and erode privacy. The system, developed by multiple government agencies, builds on a beta version tested last year.