Chinese satellite network provider ADA Space Technology has advanced its space capabilities with the recent launch of 12 satellites featuring sophisticated AI inference technology. This deployment, known as the "Three-Body Computing Constellation," represents the first phase of the company's ambitious "Star Computer Program.

Seoul becomes the latest hub in a global push to deepen ties with advanced tech markets

Shibaura Electronics announced on May 21, 2025, a shift in its stance regarding the competing tender offers (TOBs) from Japan's MinebeaMitsumi and Taiwan-based Yageo for its shares. Originally, Shibaura Electronics had recommended that shareholders accept MinebeaMitsumi's bid. However, the company has now revised its position from a clear endorsement to a neutral stance

Wolfspeed, the US-based chip component maker, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy—sending shockwaves through the global semiconductor industry. The news has sparked significant concern among its key clients, particularly Japan's Renesas Electronics, which may face direct financial fallout from the potential collapse

China's Dawning Information Industry Company (Sugon) and Hygon Information Technology announced plans for a strategic merger on May 25 to consolidate the country's computing power ecosystem. The proposed deal involves a share swap, with Hygon set to issue shares to all A-shareholders of Sugon. A simultaneous capital raise is also planned to support the integration. Both companies halted trading on May 26, with the suspension expected to last no more than ten trading days

Xiaomi has unveiled its new in-house smartphone processor, the XRing O1, positioning it as a direct competitor to flagship system-on-chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek. Designed with top-tier architecture and manufactured using advanced process nodes, the chip signals Xiaomi's growing ambition and maturity in custom silicon development

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global supply chains, manufacturers expanding production overseas are facing fresh hurdles due to China's tighter export controls on advanced equipment and materials. While the impact on production capacity remains limited for now, sources say these measures are causing delays in setting up new manufacturing lines abroad, prompting companies to turn to local suppliers for critical support

China has quietly relaxed export restrictions on rare earth elements crucial for drone manufacturing after the controls threatened to derail the industry's growth, according to people familiar with the matter. The move comes as both Beijing and Washington face mounting pressure from material shortages and stockpile risks

Qualipoly Chemical Corporation (QPC) announced that 2025 will be a year of significant transformation. The Annan plant is expected to begin trial production and ramp up operations in the third quarter, while the Yong'an plant is currently investing in building large-scale electronic chemical material reactors and planning subsequent capacity expansions. Additional ongoing projects include expanding PSMA production capacity and constructing automated warehousing facilities

Nvidia is reportedly developing another lower-cost AI chip for China, pricing it at US$6,500–8,000—well below its restricted H20 model. The new GPU, based on Blackwell architecture, is designed to comply with US export rules as Nvidia seeks to defend its market share amid tightening trade controls

Starting June 2025, Samsung Galaxy smartphones exported to the US may be subject to a 25% import tariff, a move that could push retail prices up by as much as 40%, according to South Korean media reports. The tariffs are part of a broader trade policy push by US President Donald Trump aimed at reshoring tech manufacturing

These are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of May 19 – May 25. Highlights include China's accelerating push for tech self-sufficiency with new AI chips and operating systems, TSMC's global fab and packaging expansion gaps, Wolfspeed's looming bankruptcy amid China's SiC surge, and Huawei's growing dominance in 5G infrastructure as Western RAN giants retreat. From Computex showdowns to DeepSeek's LLM momentum, here's what topped the headlines

Xiaomi has launched its first self-designed 3nm system-on-chip, the XRing O1, positioning it as the cornerstone of a broader push into advanced semiconductors. Debuting inside both the Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone and the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra tablet, the chip anchors the company's latest hardware rollout. CEO Lei Jun also introduced the XRing T1, Xiaomi's inaugural smartwatch chip, which incorporates the brand's first in-house 4G baseband processor

China's EV giant BYD has overtaken Tesla in monthly sales across Europe for the first time, marking a pivotal shift in the region's automotive landscape and highlighting the growing clout of Chinese automakers on the global stage