From record-breaking crowds at WAIC 2025 to Alibaba’s latest model drops and a new wave of AI agents, this week captures a high-stakes moment in China's AI race. Whether you're tracking breakthroughs or market moves, here’s the pulse of what's happening now.

👉 For links, images, and the full newsletter, head to https://chinaaibriefing.substack.com/p/chinas-ai-summer-heats-up-waic-ai

⚠️ Disclaimer: We use AI tools to assist in research, drafting, and narration, and adhere to ethical content guidelines and compliance standards.

Everything you missed in China’s AI world this week: chips, IPOs, and WAIC 2025 on the horizon.

👉 For links, images, and the full newsletter, head to https://open.substack.com/pub/chinaaibriefing/p/from-chips-to-trips

⚠️ Disclaimer: We use AI tools to assist in research, drafting, and narration, and adhere to ethical content guidelines and compliance standards.

From layoffs to robo-dogs: The biggest China AI stories you might’ve missed this week.

👉 For links, images, and the full write-up, head to https://chinaaibriefing.substack.com/p/weekly-briefing-july-13th-2025

⚠️ Disclaimer: We use AI tools to assist in research, drafting, and narration, and adhere to ethical content guidelines and compliance standards.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• DeepRoute’s RoadAGI Breakthrough: At the 2025 Force conference, DeepRoute.AI partnered with Volcano Engine to build physical-world agents using the Doubao large model.
• Baidu’s All-in-One AI Camera: Baidu Netdisk (think of Google Drive) just got a major AI upgrade. The new AI Camera lets users edit, scan, translate, and solve problems, all in one app.
• Huawei WATCH 5 Unveiled: Huawei launched its first HarmonyOS AI smartwatch. The WATCH 5 features fingertip SpO₂ tracking, blood pressure risk detection, gesture control, and an onboard NPU.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Huawei WATCH 5: https://consumer.huawei.comDeepRoute.AI: https://www.deeproute.aiBaidu Netdisk: https://pan.baidu.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• Red Note debuts its first foundation model: Red Note has launched dots.llm1, built by its Humane Intelligence Lab.
• ModelBest updates MiniCPM to version 4.0: One of 2024’s most downloaded open-source models gets faster and more adaptive.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• SenseTime x Ant Group: SenseTime’s “Little Raccoon” AI assistant joins forces with Ant Toolbox to offer smart, multimodal data analysis, coming soon to Alipay.
• SiliconFlow’s Big Raise: The AI infra startup lands major funding from Alibaba Cloud, expanding its one-stop model hosting platform SiliconCloud.
• DeepDTAGen: Researchers unveil a new multitask AI model that predicts drug-target affinity and generates target-specific compounds, potentially transforming pharmaceutical R&D.

🔗 Links & Resources:

DeepDTAGen: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59917-6

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• Kuaishou Launches “Auto Think” Reasoning Model: The Kwaipilot team unveils Auto Think, an open-source model that switches between “thinking” and “non-thinking” modes depending on task complexity.

• Qwen3-Embedding Series Goes Open Source: Alibaba releases new embedding models in 0.6B, 4B, and 8B sizes. The 8B model tops the multilingual MTEB leaderboard, and the smallest version may be optimized for mobile, just as Alibaba confirms a partnership to support Apple Intelligence in China.
• OceanBase Expands Its “Data and AI” Strategy: The Alibaba-backed database platform now integrates with 60+ AI partners like LangChain and LlamaIndex.

🔗 Links & Resources:
Auto Think (Kwaipilot): https://kwaipilot.ai/Qwen3-Embedding: https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen3-Embedding-0.6BOceanBase x AI Ecosystem: https://en.oceanbase.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• VeBrain: China’s First Generalist Robot Brain: Shanghai AI Lab unveils VeBrain - a unified AI system that lets robots see, think, and act.
• DingTalk 7.7.0: Enterprise AI for Everyone: Alibaba’s enterprise tool DingTalk rolls out a major update, making its AI-powered spreadsheet tool free for all users.
• Meituan Launches JiBai, AI for Hotels: China’s super-app Meituan debuts JiBai, the country’s first hotel-side AI management system. It’s part of a wider AI strategy that includes no-code development tools and a new travel assistant.

🔗 Links & Resources:
DingTalk: https://www.dingtalk.com/enMeituan: https://www.meituan.com/en-US/about-us

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• Manus Launches Text-to-Video Feature: AI startup Manus has released a new tool that turns text prompts into video stories, challenging OpenAI’s Sora.
• Tencent Unveils VISVISE for AI Game Creation: Tencent is building a full-stack AI game development platform called VISVISE, featuring tools like Auto LUV and Skirt AI.
• Shido Bets on Affordable AI Eyewear: Suzhou-based startup Shido Intelligence has raised seed funding to bring smart glasses to the masses.

🔗 Links & Resources:
Manus: manus.imTencent VISVISE: https://visvise.com/index

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• Alibaba Launches AI-Native Coding Tool: Alibaba Cloud just introduced Lingma, its own AI-powered developer environment.
• Kling 2.1 Raises the Bar for AI Video: Kuaishou’s video generation tool Kling just dropped version 2.1, offering faster rendering, better motion realism, and a “Master” edition tailored for professional content creators.
• Dunhuang’s Digital Library Cave Goes Global: Tencent’s AI helps bring ancient Buddhist texts and cave art into the modern era with an interactive, multilingual, AI-powered digital archive from the historic Mogao Caves.

🔗 Links & Resources:
Lingma IDE: https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/lingma/getting-started/individual-edition-quick-start?spm=a3c0i.29987553.9641670990.i0.454c172dzS0H69

Digital Library Cave: https://cave17.e-dunhuang.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• China’s First Cardiovascular AI Model: China’s first large language model focused entirely on cardiovascular medicine.
• Tongji University Upgrades Its Campus AI: AI isn’t just transforming businesses, it’s making its way into campus life.
• Astribot S1 Makes a Splash at ICRA: At ICRA 2025, a humanoid robot from China stole the spotlight.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Astribot：https://www.astribot.com/product

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• DeepSeek's Surprise Model Update: Chinese AI startup DeepSeek quietly launches R1-0528, an enhanced version of its R1 reasoning model.

• BioProBench: Peking University introduces BioProBench, a massive new benchmark for evaluating how well language models understand biological protocols.

• Lumos Robotics Gets Funded: Lumos Robotics wraps its third funding round in six months, bringing total early investment to nearly 200 million RMB.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• DeepSeek R1-0528: https://huggingface.co/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1-0528
• BioProBench: https://huggingface.co/datasets/BioProBench/BioProBench
• Lumos Robotics LUS1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=artIZt1JEDU&t=90s

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• Tencent’s Answer to Supabase: Tencent Cloud unveils a backend service platform designed for the AI coding era. The AI Toolkit lets developers build, deploy, and manage apps using natural language — solving the “last mile” problem in AI-assisted software development.

• Opera Neon: Opera, now majority-owned by China’s Kunlun Tech, introduces Opera Neon — a browser that acts more like an AI agent. With natural language input and offline capabilities, Neon can code, generate content, and automate tasks.

• Maotai Bets on AI with ModelBest: China’s liquor giant Maotai makes a bold investment in ModelBest, an edge AI startup known for its MiniCPM models that run on devices like smartphones and cars.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Opera Neon: https://www.operaneon.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

• SAP & Alibaba: Localized Enterprise AI: SAP and Alibaba form a strategic partnership to integrate SAP’s enterprise software with Alibaba Cloud and Qwen, its large language model. The goal: bring generative AI to SAP’s ERP systems, starting in China and expanding globally.
• Quark’s Medical AI Breakthrough: Quark, a 100B-parameter model from Alibaba’s Intelligent Information Group, becomes the first domestic AI to pass China’s deputy chief physician exam across 12 specialties — marking a leap from knowledge recall to clinical reasoning.
• Doubao Launches Video AI Chat: ByteDance upgrades its AI assistant Doubao with real-time video chat, enabling visual reasoning and live interaction. From fruit picking to museum tours, it signals a new phase in multimodal AI — powered by the Douyin ecosystem.

🔗 Links & Resources:

SAP & Alibaba: https://news.sap.com/2025/05/sap-alibaba-group-partner-accelerate-cloud-transformation/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We cover three major developments from China’s fast-evolving AI and tech landscape:

• Sequoia China’s xBench: Real-World AI Evaluation: Sequoia China (HongShan) launches xBench, a new AI benchmarking tool that evaluates models not just on puzzles but on practical, real-world tasks. 

• Humanoid Robot Fight Night in Hangzhou: The world’s first humanoid robot fighting match just wrapped up in China. Unitree’s G1 bots battled it out in a bracketed competition, showing off impressive real-time balance and recovery. 

• CellFM: Single-Cell AI at Scale: Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University, Huawei, Chongqing University, and SynoGene unveil CellFM - the largest foundation model for single-cell data. 

🔗 Links & Resources:

HongShan (Sequoia China): https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/0elk_dIUNMNxvsaIP1WMAA

Unitree Robot: https://www.unitree.com/

CellFM: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59926-5

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We cover three major developments from China’s fast-evolving AI and tech landscape:

• Go-Playing AI That Thinks Aloud: Shanghai AI Lab’s new model, Intern Thinker, not only plays Go at a competitive level, but explains its decisions in natural language. It’s a step forward in transparent AI reasoning.
  

• Baidu’s Robotaxi Boom: Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service just hit 1.4 million rides in Q1, powered by fully autonomous cars costing just $28,000.

  
  

• Lenovo’s Best Year Yet - Powered by AI: Lenovo just reported its strongest financial year ever, with revenue nearing $69 billion and profits up 36%.
  

Whether you’re tracking the rise of intelligent machines or planning for the future of work, this episode unpacks what’s next in China’s AI ecosystem.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Apollo Go: https://www.apollogo.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated with the help of AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We spotlight three major developments shaping China’s AI landscape:

• AI Robot for Home Learning: SenseRobot, a brand under SenseTime, launches a new AI-powered chess robot in partnership with JD.com. Retailing for ¥2,999, the five-in-one device teaches board games like chess and Go, while also offering interactive tutoring and playful learning for kids.

  
  

• Sigma Squares Automates Manufacturing: Beijing-based Sigma Squares has raised fresh funding as it scales AI-driven production lines for optical and medical products. By reducing factory labor from 100 to just 10 workers per line, its vision-based robotics systems are pushing traditional manufacturing into the smart era.

  
  

• Xiaomi’s AI-Infused SUV: Xiaomi officially unveils the YU7, its first electric SUV. With a 835km range and Xiaomi’s HyperVision panoramic display, the YU7 fuses smart cabin design with AI-powered safety and autonomy, signaling Xiaomi’s growing footprint in AI and smart mobility.

  
  

Whether you’re tracking smart hardware, AI in industry, or the future of vehicles — this episode breaks down where China’s next wave of innovation is headed.

🔗 Links & Resources:

SenseBot: https://www.senserobotchess.com/

Xiaomi’s new SUV: https://www.mi.com/global/discover/article?id=4925

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All content complies with platform guidelines and licensing standards.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We explore three major developments from China’s fast-moving AI landscape:

• DeepSeek’s Potential Healthcare Expansion: The AI startup DeepSeek is quietly hiring medical-focused interns, hinting at plans to enhance its language models for healthcare applications.

• Fenbi’s AI-Driven Education: Edtech leader Fenbi is turning AI into a teaching assistant — cutting grading time, personalizing learning, and investing heavily in R&D to scale its AI-first education model.

• Feishu’s Enterprise AI Assistant: Feishu (aka Lark) just launched “Feishu Q&A,” a secure AI tool that answers employee questions using internal docs, chats, and meetings — all within your permissions.

Whether you’re building, investing, or just curious—this episode unpacks where China’s digital edge is heading and what it means for the world.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Lark: https://www.larksuite.com/en_sg

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We spotlight three key stories shaping the future of AI in China:

• Reimagining the AI-powered city: China launches its first national “AI Future City Design Challenge,” inviting architects, designers, and technologists to rethink how cities function with AI at the core. With a real 9,500-acre site in Tianjin as the testbed, this isn’t just about sci-fi — it’s about building livable, scalable AI-native cities.
• More money for edge AI: ModelBest, the Chinese startup behind the popular MiniCPM model, just finished another funding round to accelerate edge AI — running powerful models directly on devices like cars and phones. With over 10 million downloads and deals with major automakers, the company is betting big on local, lightweight intelligence.
• Meituan enters the AI coding race: Chinese super-app Meituan — best known for food delivery and local services — is testing “NoCode,” a visual AI development tool that lets users build websites, games, and tools without writing a line of code. It’s another sign of how mainstream tech platforms are doubling down on AI-native tools for work and creativity.
  

Whether you're building, investing, or just curious — this episode unpacks where China’s digital edge is heading and what it means for the world.

🔗 Links & Resources:

ModelBest: https://modelbest.cn/en

NoCode: https://nocode.cn/

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.

🎙️ In today’s episode:

We explore three major developments from China’s fast-moving AI landscape:

• QQ Browser gets an AI glow-up: Tencent’s long-running browser, often seen as China’s answer to Chrome, has officially rebranded as an AI browser with the launch of QBot. Packed with features like article summaries, writing help, and document translation, it's turning everyday browsing into a smart productivity hub.

• AI short dramas: hype vs. reality: AI-generated sci-fi shorts are trending in China — but creators say it’s harder than it looks. Between glitchy visuals and clunky storytelling, most projects fall short of Hollywood-grade. We break down what’s working and what’s not.

• Navigation meets wearables: Amap partners with AR glasses maker Rokid to unveil NaviAgent — the world’s first AI navigation assistant built for smart glasses. It’s hands-free, voice-enabled, and built for the road ahead.

Whether you’re building, investing, or just curious — this episode unpacks where China’s digital edge is heading and what it means for the world.

⚠️ Disclaimer:This episode was scripted and narrated using AI tools. All software is licensed for commercial use, and content complies with platform guidelines.