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China’s AI market in 2026 is consolidating around teams capable of executing at scale, a shift closely tied to broader China tech trends and AI ecosystem shifts that favor infrastructure and deployment over experimentation. StepFun AI stands out among the “Six Tigers” because it focuses on multimodal foundation models and real deployment rather than traffic

The emergence of DeepSeek, a family of large language models (LLMs) from the Hangzhou‑based start‑up DeepSeek Inc., marked a pivotal moment in the global artificial intelligence landscape. In December 2024 and January 2025, the company released DeepSeek‑V3 and DeepSeek‑R1, high‑performance LLMs that generated headlines for their impressive reasoning ability and surprisingly low training and inference

Enterprises evaluating DeepSeek are not choosing between two models. They are deciding how much reasoning their workflows actually require and when it is worth paying for it. DeepSeek V3, R1, and V3.1 introduce a structural shift in enterprise AI by separating high-volume language processing from computationally intensive problem-solving. This changes how organizations design automation, allocate

China artificial intelligence in 2026 is no longer just about chatbots or benchmark races. It has evolved into a fully integrated innovation stack—foundation models, multimodal systems, platform ecosystems, and industry deployments operating together at scale. Over the past 18 months, Chinese labs have accelerated open-weight releases, reduced inference costs, expanded long-context capabilities, and deeply embedded

China’s fashion and beauty blogosphere has matured into a multi‑billion‑RMB industry. Key opinion leaders (KOLs) no longer merely post curated outfits; they drive trends across multiple platforms (Douyin, RedNote, Weibo, Bilibili, and even podcasts), influence retail purchasing, and shape cultural conversations.  MCN (multi‑channel network) agencies have professionalized the space, and global luxury labels actively court

China visa-free travel expanded significantly in 2025–26, allowing citizens of dozens of countries to enter China for short stays without a visa. Depending on nationality and entry route, travelers may qualify for 30-day visa-free entry, mutual visa-exemption agreements, or visa-free transit of up to 240 hours when traveling onward to a third destination. As China

China–Australia relations have entered a steady, productive phase. The days of patching over diplomatic tensions are largely behind us, and the focus now is on building genuine, long-term cooperation. High-level visits, policy alignment, and business deals demonstrate that both sides view this partnership as crucial to regional stability and shared economic growth. Trade no longer

Over the past two decades, China has evolved from an importer of Western cosmetics into the world’s second-largest beauty market. In 2024, its cosmetics and personal-care exports reached 51.2 billion yuan (US$7.2 billion), up 11.9 percent year-on-year. By mid-2025, exports climbed another 12 percent to 18.7 billion yuan. Chinese skincare brands are no longer imitators.

Pop Mart (泡泡玛特) didn’t just sell toys—it built a movement. What started as a niche art toy store in Beijing is now a multi-billion-yuan empire reshaping how China and the world experience collectibles. At the core? A “blind box” format—sealed packaging, mystery figures inside, and a psychology that keeps fans coming back for more. But

The term “String of Pearls” was coined by American consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton in a 2005 report. Western analysts employed the metaphor to describe a perceived Chinese plan to acquire a chain of overseas port facilities spanning from the South China Sea to the Suez Canal, thereby enabling Beijing to project its naval power across