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asiabits

Michael Broza & Thomas Derksen

18 episodes

15 hours ago

What's in this episode: TOP BIT: Travel Warnings, Warships, and Sharp WordsJapan's PM Sanae Takaichi states a Chinese attack on Taiwan poses an "existential threat" to Japan, sparking a diplomatic storm.Beijing responds with harsh rhetoric (a diplomat suggesting Japan's "dirty neck" be "severed") and summons ambassadors.China issues travel warnings for Japan, leading to free rebookings/refunds for flights.Increased military presence: China's Coast Guard patrols near disputed islands; Taiwan r...

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What's in this episode: TOP BIT: Travel Warnings, Warships, and Sharp WordsJapan's PM Sanae Takaichi states a Chinese attack on Taiwan poses an "existential threat" to Japan, sparking a diplomatic storm.Beijing responds with harsh rhetoric (a diplomat suggesting Japan's "dirty neck" be "severed") and summons ambassadors.China issues travel warnings for Japan, leading to free rebookings/refunds for flights.Increased military presence: China's Coast Guard patrols near disputed islands; Taiwan r...

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Episodes (18/18)

asiabits

China–Japan conflict escalates – asiabits Nov 17th 2025

What's in this episode: TOP BIT: Travel Warnings, Warships, and Sharp WordsJapan's PM Sanae Takaichi states a Chinese attack on Taiwan poses an "existential threat" to Japan, sparking a diplomatic storm.Beijing responds with harsh rhetoric (a diplomat suggesting Japan's "dirty neck" be "severed") and summons ambassadors.China issues travel warnings for Japan, leading to free rebookings/refunds for flights.Increased military presence: China's Coast Guard patrols near disputed islands; Taiwan r...

15 hours ago

8 minutes

asiabits

The end of China’s cheap parcels? | asiabits Nov 14th 2025

What's in this episode: TOP BIT: The End of One-Euro Parcels from ChinaThe EU plans to scrap duty exemptions for low-value imports (under €150) by 2026, two years earlier than planned, due to surging volumes from China.An additional 2-euro admin fee per parcel is planned.4.6 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2024, 91% from China (Temu, Shein), shipped on 35 daily cargo flights.China’s tax office is also cracking down, with retroactive 13% tax claims on previously under-declared sale...

3 days ago

9 minutes

asiabits

China declares war on deepfakes | asiabits November 13th 2025

What's in this episode: TOP BIT: China Cracks Down on DeepfakesStarting 2026, China will enforce stricter rules against fake images and AI-generated content.Mandatory labels for AI content will be required from platforms, app providers, and creators to combat manipulation.The revised Cybersecurity Law includes multi-million dollar fines for violations and requires immediate deletion of misinformation.Real-world cases include arrests for faking child abduction and earthquake damage using AI.51...

4 days ago

8 minutes

asiabits

AI race: Asia outruns Europe | November 12th 2025

What's in this episode: The Chinese influencer who spent an estimated $500,000 on 10,000 hyaluronic acid injections for artificial eight-pack abs, seeking a Guinness World Record.TOP BIT: Asia’s Data Boom — The New Power RaceAsia is set to account for 40% of global data center capacity by 2030, requiring over $800 billion in investments, turning the region into a geopolitical battleground for data dominance.Focus areas include: Singapore's "green" facilities, Thailand's fast-track billion-dol...

5 days ago

5 minutes

asiabits

Burger King attacks McDonald’s in China | Nov 11th 2025

What's in this episode: Spain’s King Felipe visits China, focusing on Spanish ham exports (up 8% to $700M this year).TOP BIT: Burger King’s XXL China ExpansionJV: Burger King forms a joint venture with Chinese investor CPE.Investment: CPE is injecting $350 million USD into “Burger King China.”Goal: Expand from 1,250 to over 4,000 stores by 2035 (McDonald's aims for 10,000 by 2028).Strategy: Local adaptation with healthier, regional menus to align with "Healthy China 2030."Highlights: Asia st...

6 days ago

6 minutes

asiabits

Trade war: China ends chip blockade | asiabits Nov 10th 2025

What's in this episode: Opener: Chinese fashion retailers fight ~80% return rates during Double 11 by using conspicuous A4-sized tags on clothing.Highlights: Goldman Sachs notes a surge of U.S. investment into Japanese tech/AI stocks (Nikkei up 30%). Pop Mart shares drop 5.5% after a controversial livestream.TOP BIT: China Lifts Nexperia Export BanAction: China resumes exports of "discrete chips" from its Nexperia plant (70% of Nexperia's output).Impact: Averted production stoppages for major...

1 week ago

6 minutes

asiabits

This robot shocked the world | asiabits Nov 7th 2025

What's in this episode: Opener: American singer Brittany Porter claims she accidentally married Malaysian Sultan Muhammad V.Highlights: Asia attempts a comeback; strong US job data lifts sentiment.Top Bit: XPENG’s Humanoid Robot IRON:Specs: 1.7m tall, 70kg, 82 joints (22 in each hand), bionic spine.Brain: In-house system of three AI models powered by three Turing chips delivering 3,000 TOPS.Innovation: First humanoid robot with a solid-state battery; highly customizable.Future: Robotaxi rollo...

1 week ago

7 minutes

asiabits

Volkswagen’s last chance in China? | asiabits Nov 6th 2025

Top Bit: Volkswagen’s In-House AI Chip: VW is investing ~$200 million USD to develop its own AI chip in China via the Carizon JV with Horizon Robotics. The chip will power Level 3 driver assistance and provide 500–700 TOPS of computing power. The move is a strategic bid to localize core technology and compete with Chinese EV makers.Number of the Day: $15 Million—Value of dinosaur skeletons and artifacts seized from a Chinese money-laundering suspect by British authorities.High...

1 week ago

6 minutes

asiabits

Shein provokes fashion capital Paris | Nov 5th 2025

What's in this episode: Shocking news from Germany: A major sausage producer is reportedly being sold to a Hong Kong–based company.Top Story: Shein vs. Paris:Shein opens store in BHV Marais; Paris officials call it a “slap in the face.”Over 20 brands pulled products; Disneyland canceled an exhibition.French minister threatened a ban after a sex doll scandal on the platform.Shein's revenue in 2024: approx. $45 billion USD.Highlights: Asian markets pause after the Wall Street tech rally; AI boo...

1 week ago

7 minutes

asiabits

Billion-Dollar Comeback: China & K-pop | asiabits Nov 4 2025

What's in this episode: Opener: China extends visa-free entry for 45 countries until end of 2026 (including Sweden).Highlights: KOSPI hits new ATH of 4212 points; Nio deliveries jump 93% YoY to 40,397 vehicles in October.Top Bit: K-pop Comeback:Cultural thaw agreed upon at the Xi-Lee summit in Gyeongju.South Korean entertainment stocks (SM, JYP, YG, Hybe) surged on the news.Xi reportedly instructed the Foreign Minister to explore a K-pop concert in Beijing.The ban started in 2016 due to the T...

1 week ago

6 minutes

asiabits

COMAC attacks Boeing & Airbus | asiabits Nov 3, 2025

What's in this episode: Top Bit: COMAC’s Challenge: Brunei is the first non-China country to recognize Chinese aviation standards. GallopAir placed the first international C919 order (30 aircraft, approx. $2B USD).The C919 still needs Western certification (EASA/FAA, potentially 6 years).Highlights: MSCI China fell ~2% in October. Beijing expands ETF Connect with six new US-exposed ETFs.Number of the Day: 38%—The share of Japanese municipalities without access to Japanese-language ...

2 weeks ago

6 minutes

asiabits

Trump & Xi: 5 Takeaways | asiabits Oct 31, 2025

What's in this episode: Unusual Business Idea: Halloween is a $13 billion business in the U.S., but Asian authorities remain wary due to past incidents.Top Bit: Trump-Xi Trade Truce: Truce Duration: One year of calm; Trump to visit China in April. China’s Concession: Suspension of rare earth export controls for 12 months and a commitment to import 25 million tons of U.S. soybeans annually. US Concession: Tariffs on Chinese goods halved from 20% to 10%; delay of new tech export...

2 weeks ago

6 minutes

asiabits

China: 1 new billionaire per day | asiabits Oct 30 2025

What's in this episode: Financial Markets: Fed cut rates by 0.25 pp to 3.75–4.00%. Singapore’s ETF market hit a record S$16.3 billion AUM (+40% YoY).Top Bit: China’s Super-Rich Smash Records:China now has 1,434 super-rich individuals; total wealth rose 42% to 30 trillion CNY ($4.1T USD).376 people made the list for the first time this year, with 60% of the Top 100 coming from high-tech and industrial sectors.India is catching up with 358 billionaires (+30% YoY).Number of the Day: 993 million—...

2 weeks ago

6 minutes

asiabits

🟠 Trump in Tokyo: Power plays in Asia

What's in this episode: Unusual Business Idea: A Tokyo café where customers pay to dress as maids and serve the staff.Top Bit: The Takaichi-Trump Summit: Japan pledges to raise its defense budget to 2% of GDP and offers $550 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff reductions. The summit highlights Japan’s difficult economic and security balancing act with China.Asian Markets Rally: The Nikkei 225 cracks 50,000 for the first time; the KOSPI surges past 4,000. Key stocks like SoftBan...

2 weeks ago

6 minutes

asiabits

🟠 AI is eating entry-level jobs in Asia

What's in this episode: Unusual Business Idea: Baijiu’s Decline—China’s 50% liquor is losing popularity; producers are launching milder versions for younger audiences.Top Bit: The AI Dilemma: Entry-level salaries in Hong Kong are at a seven-year low, dropping for the first time since 2018. Simultaneously, China's robotics market is expected to exceed $100 billion USD by 2028, driving huge demand for AI talent.Financial Markets: SK Hynix sets new records with 11.4T KRW (~$8B USD) in profit. Sh...

2 weeks ago

6 minutes

asiabits

🟠 Why people stopped buying Porsches

: Today, we break down Porsche’s first quarterly loss as a public company, the details behind a strong but volatile Hong Kong IPO, and the surprising truth about Korean reunification sentiment. Plus, the Chinese word for slacking off at work. What's in this episode: Human Interest Story: The wild life-twist of a Japanese truck driver who found out he was switched at birth.Asian Stock Markets: Record highs for the Nikkei 225 and KOSPI driven by trade talk hopes and AI enthusiasm.Top Bit: Porsc...

2 weeks ago

5 minutes

asiabits

Airbnb swaps ChatGPT for Alibaba’s AI | asiabits Oct 23, 2025

Airbnb drops ChatGPT for Alibaba’s Qwen. China drives CXMT & YMTC chip IPOs, Cambricon challenges Nvidia. AI and markets on the move – IPOs

3 weeks ago

4 minutes

asiabits

🟠 Microsoft exits China

Reading time: 4 min 45 sec

3 weeks ago

2 minutes