Four people jailed in the landmark national security trial of the “Hong Kong 47”, the pro-democracy figures accused of conspiracy to commit subversion, were freed on Friday after more than four years behind bars, the second group to be released in a month. Among those freed was longtime political and LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham, who also led one of Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy groups, the Civil Human Rights Front, which disbanded in 2021. CHRF was one of the largest pro-democracy groups in the former British colony and helped to organise…
Day: May 29, 2025
India’s Ola Electric has a rough ride
This article is an on-site version of the India Business Briefing newsletter. To receive it in your inbox regularly, sign up if you’re a premium subscriber, or upgrade your subscription here. Good morning. This has been a strange week, news-wise. Much like the rains in Delhi there seems to be a lot brewing beyond the horizon, and some storms impending, but very little to show for it at the moment. Quarterly GDP numbers will be out later today. Send me your predictions before the announcement. In today’s newsletter: India is trying…
Chinese tech groups prepare for AI future without Nvidia
Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Artificial intelligence myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. China’s biggest technology companies have begun the long and difficult process of switching their development of artificial intelligence to homegrown chips, as they contend with a dwindling stockpile of Nvidia processors and tightening US export controls. Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu are among those starting to test alternative semiconductors to meet surging AI-related internal demand and client needs, according to industry executives. They have been forced to step up contingency planning…
China unveils world’s first AI nuke inspector
Advertisement The technology, disclosed in a peer-reviewed paper published in April by researchers with the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), could bolster Beijing’s stance in stalled international disarmament talks while fuelling debate on the role of AI in managing weapons of mass destruction. The project, which is built on a protocol jointly proposed by Chinese and American scientists more than a decade ago, faced three monumental hurdles. These were – training and testing the AI using sensitive nuclear data (including real warhead specifications); convincing Chinese military leaders that the…
China’s market leaders in tech, energy sectors are focus of investors: JPMorgan
Global investors are increasingly turning to China’s global market leaders in the technology and energy sectors to diversify their investment portfolios amid heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertain economic outlook, according to JPMorgan. Advertisement Funds were not only targeting established firms in industries like car manufacturing, robotics and renewable energy but also capturing opportunities in China’s innovative capabilities as market volatility spikes, said Kwang Kam Shing, Hong Kong CEO and chair for North Asia at the US’ biggest bank. “They are a group of very well informed and sophisticated investors,” Kwang…
Global inflows to Chinese stocks could become a ‘flood’: Cambridge Associates
Global investors are reassessing their US-heavy portfolios and looking at undervalued equities in Hong Kong and mainland China to “provide defence” amid geopolitical tensions, according to global investment advisory Cambridge Associates. Advertisement “One of the surprising things this year is that despite the Trump tariffs being very aggressive towards Asia, particularly China, actually equities [in the region] have outperformed,” Aaron Costello, the firm’s head of Asia, said in an interview this week. “Even after recent gains, Chinese and Hong Kong stocks are still attractive from a valuation perspective and can…
Chinese students face uncertain future as US imposes visa crackdown
Chinese students who account for about one quarter of overseas students in the United States voiced anxiety Thursday as the Trump administration paused visa interviews and announced tougher screening of applicants to American universities. In the U.S., Chinese students expressed worries they may not be able to travel freely, and one student who is a human rights activist said she now felt pressure both from the Chinese government and U.S. government. “The current situation in the U.S. feels increasingly uncertain — even dangerous,” Mary, who graduated from an American college…
Beijing’s marine science diplomacy can calm South China Sea tensions
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint in geopolitical tensions, but beneath its contested surface lies one of the planet’s most scientifically compelling marine frontiers. Home to an array of deep-sea ecosystems, hydrothermal vents, underwater mountain ranges and vast coral reef systems, the region is increasingly recognised as a natural laboratory for cutting-edge oceanographic research. Advertisement Climate change, biodiversity loss and overexploitation are putting mounting pressure on marine environments worldwide. Amid this, the South China Sea stands out for its environmental significance as well as the diplomatic opportunity…
Brics approves climate finance framework, crafting joint stance for first time
The Brics economic bloc approved its first joint climate finance framework on Thursday, the group’s most coordinated effort to date on funding climate action and setting the stage for a shared position – a first for the group – ahead of Cop30 in Brazil. Advertisement The nonbinding framework – agreed during a high-level meeting on climate change and sustainable development – outlines Brics priorities including the reform of multilateral development banks, the scaling up of concessional finance and the mobilising of private capital to support climate efforts in the Global…
US appeal court allows Donald Trump’s tariffs to stay in effect
A US federal appeal court has temporarily halted a lower-court ruling against President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs, as well as a separate set of fentanyl-related levies on China, Mexico and Canada. Advertisement The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington said in a brief order Thursday afternoon that it would grant the Trump administration’s request for an immediate stay, stating “the judgments and the permanent injunctions entered by the Court of International Trade in these cases are temporarily stayed”. The ruling came after lawsuits were…